① affair用作單數(shù)形式,意為“事,事情,事物”,常指小事,私事,已經(jīng)發(fā)生的事或要去做的事;affair用作復數(shù)形式,意為“事務,業(yè)務”,常指重大事務(如國內(nèi)事務、國際事務)或頭緒較多的事情。
That is an ordinary affair. 那是一件平常事。
How I spend the money is my own affair. 我怎么花錢是我自己的事。
The international affairs are rather complex. 國際事務相當復雜。
He is concerned with state affairs. 他關(guān)心著國家大事。
提示
注意下面matter的用法。
What's the matter with you?你怎么了?(matter表示“毛病,麻煩”)
Is anything the matter?有麻煩嗎?
There's nothing the matter with the car. 這輛汽車沒有問題。
As a matter of fact she knew nothing about it. 事實上,她對這件事一無所知。
② business表示“生意,商務”,以賺取利潤為目的;也可表示“事情,事務”,相當于affair,但更強調(diào)出于責任或任務去做某件事。
Business was good at the shop today. 今天店里生意興隆。
They have done business with five countries. 他們已經(jīng)同五個國家做生意。
It is none of your business. 這事與你無關(guān)。(不用affair)
It is my business to help them. 幫助他們是我應做的事。
What a business it is moving house!搬家是一件多么麻煩的事啊!
③ matter表示“事情,東西,問題”,通常指需要加以考慮或處理的事。
You'd better think the matter over. 你最好考慮一下這件事。
The matter is still in dispute. 這件事還在爭論之中。