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 assistant was exposed by the media. [affair: noun]
Example
The company's financial affairs were under investigation by the authorities. [affairs: plural noun]
matter
Example
It doesn't matter what we do tonight, as long as we have fun. [matter: noun]
Example
The safety of the workers is a matter of concern for the management. [matter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Matter is more commonly used than affair in everyday language. Matter is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while affair is less common and more formal, often used in legal or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affair and matter?
Affair is generally more formal than matter and is often used in legal or political contexts. Matter is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
