affairs
C1Formal, but also common in journalism and everyday euphemisms.
Definition
Meaning
Matters, concerns, or events requiring management, attention, or involvement.
Often refers to private, romantic, or sexual relationships conducted in secret (an affair). Can also denote official public or business matters (state affairs). The plural form frequently indicates matters of general or ongoing concern.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The singular 'affair' can mean a specific event/situation ('the party was a grand affair') or a secret romantic relationship. The plural 'affairs' typically does NOT refer to multiple romantic relationships but to the state of general matters ('current affairs', 'financial affairs'). Context is crucial to distinguish public from private connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Foreign Affairs' as a government department is more common in US (US Department of State); UK uses 'Foreign Office' or 'Foreign and Commonwealth Office' historically. 'Affairs of state' is slightly more formal/British.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects. The euphemistic use for a romantic relationship ('having an affair') is equally common.
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both. Slightly higher in US legal/business contexts ('affairs of the corporation').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to manage/conduct/handle [POSSESSIVE] affairsaffairs of [NOUN PHRASE] (e.g., affairs of state, affairs of the heart)in [ADJECTIVE] affairs (e.g., in financial affairs)to have an affair (with somebody)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a storm in a teacup over personal affairs”
- “to put one's affairs in order”
- “affairs of the heart”
- “to have an affair”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the operations and transactions of a company (e.g., 'the board oversees the company's affairs').
Academic
Used in political science, history, and international relations (e.g., 'the professor specializes in European affairs').
Everyday
Common as a euphemism for a secret romantic relationship or in fixed phrases like 'current affairs' for news.
Technical
In law, refers to the management of a person's estate or a company's business (e.g., 'winding up affairs').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She reads the newspaper to learn about current affairs.
- He travels a lot for his business affairs.
- The charity deals with international affairs and human rights.
- Before the trip, she had to put her personal affairs in order.
- The minister's resignation was linked to his complicated private affairs.
- The committee was established to investigate the internal affairs of the organisation.
- His meddling in the political affairs of a sovereign state caused a diplomatic incident.
- The memoir gave a candid account of her extramarital affairs and their consequences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a busy executive's desk with files labeled 'AFFAIRS' – all the matters they must attend to, from state secrets to private letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFAIRS ARE OBJECTS TO BE MANAGED/CONTROLLED (e.g., 'get your affairs in order'). ROMANTIC AFFAIRS ARE JOURNEYS/ENTANGLEMENTS (e.g., 'their affair was a long and winding road').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: Russian 'афера' (afera) means 'swindle' or 'scam', not 'matters/relationships'.
- Avoid directly translating 'дела' (dela) as 'affairs' in all contexts. 'Everyday дела' are 'things' or 'tasks', not 'affairs'.
- The plural 'affairs' rarely translates to 'отношения' (otnosheniya) in the sense of a single romantic relationship; use 'роман' (roman) or 'связь' (svyaz').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'affairs' as a countable noun for multiple romantic relationships (incorrect: *He had several affairs with different colleagues.*). Use 'relationships'.
- Overusing the plural where the singular is needed (incorrect: *It was a complicated affairs.*).
- Confusing 'affair' with 'event' in formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'affairs' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The singular 'affair' is common for a specific event ('a grand affair') or a single secret romantic relationship. The plural 'affairs' typically refers to matters or concerns in a general sense.
'Business' is broader and can mean commerce, a company, or one's concerns. 'Affairs' often implies matters requiring careful handling, administration, or discretion, and is common in formal/official contexts (e.g., state affairs).
Rarely. 'Foreign affairs' is a fixed plural compound noun referring to the field of international relations. You wouldn't say 'a foreign affair' unless referring to a single international incident or, humorously, a romantic relationship with a foreigner.
It is an idiom meaning to be involved in a secret romantic/sexual relationship, typically when at least one person is married or in another committed relationship. Structure: 'to have an affair (with someone)'. It is almost always singular in this sense.