What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affair
Example
The politician's affair with his intern was exposed by the media. [affair: noun]
Example
The company's financial affairs were investigated by the authorities. [affairs: plural noun]
circumstance
Example
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the concert has been postponed. [circumstances: plural noun]
Example
The athlete's performance was affected by the circumstances of the competition. [circumstance: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Circumstance is more commonly used than affair in everyday language. Circumstance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while affair is less common and often associated with personal or romantic relationships.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affair and circumstance?
Circumstance is typically considered more formal than affair. While affair can be used in both formal and informal contexts, circumstance is more commonly used in formal writing or speech.
