29　affair，business和matter

① affair用作单数形式，意为“事，事情，事物”，常指小事，私事，已经发生的事或要去做的事;affair用作复数形式，意为“事务，业务”，常指重大事务(如国内事务、国际事务)或头绪较多的事情。

That is an ordinary affair. 那是一件平常事。

How I spend the money is my own affair. 我怎么花钱是我自己的事。

The international affairs are rather complex. 国际事务相当复杂。

He is concerned with state affairs. 他关心着国家大事。

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，麻烦”)

Is anything the matter?有麻烦吗?

There's nothing the matter with the car. 这辆汽车没有问题。

As a matter of fact she knew nothing about it. 事实上，她对这件事一无所知。

② business表示“生意，商务”，以赚取利润为目的;也可表示“事情，事务”，相当于affair，但更强调出于责任或任务去做某件事。

Business was good at the shop today. 今天店里生意兴隆。

They have done business with five countries. 他们已经同五个国家做生意。

It is none of your business. 这事与你无关。(不用affair)

It is my business to help them. 帮助他们是我应做的事。

What a business it is moving house!搬家是一件多么麻烦的事啊!

③ matter表示“事情，东西，问题”，通常指需要加以考虑或处理的事。

You'd better think the matter over. 你最好考虑一下这件事。

The matter is still in dispute. 这件事还在争论之中。