a regular affair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a regular affair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that occurs frequently or routinely. Example: "The weekly book club meeting has become a regular affair for the members, who look forward to discussing their latest reads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If everything works as planned, Ms. Zhang said, the contest will become a regular affair.

The New York Times

The orchestra made a similar visit last May, saying it would become a regular affair.

The New York Times

But given the unconscionable prices of top-quality Burgundies, it may be a long time before the New York event, assuming it becomes a regular affair, will be anything other than a very exclusive party.

The New York Times - Style

In yet another episode of violence against religious minorities in Pakistan - that has become a regular affair in this country - Muslims in a Punjab village burned down a church and forced a mass exodus of Christians from that area.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When her Lisbeth has sex with Blomkvist, the connection moves a little closer to a regular love affair.

The New Yorker

Until the Peloponnesian War, warfare among the various Greek city-states had for centuries been a regular, predictable affair — part of the rhythmic cycle of seasons.

The New Yorker

In fact, television ratings for the Tokyo Giants have fallen several points since live baseball telecasts from the United States became a regular morning affair in Japan.

The New York Times - Sports

It seeks to make laughter a regular, communal affair -- and aims to provoke not mere chuckling but rather explosions of mirth.

The New York Times

Owing to the resounding success of the inaugural event, the Adelaide Festival of Arts was staged again in 1962, after which it became a regular biennial affair, with each festival offering a fresh array of traditional, contemporary, Western, and the non-Western arts.

Britannica

So in 1986 Gattorno began allowing bands to use the Culture House as a practice space and these informal open rehearsals quickly turned into a regular, organized affair.

Vice

A Foreign Office spokesman told the Press Association: "There is a regular foreign affairs council meeting on Monday where a range of issues can be discussed in the normal way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a regular affair", ensure the context clearly indicates the event or situation has become a normal or expected occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "a regular affair" when describing a one-time event, no matter how significant. This phrase is best suited to describe repeated or habitual situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a regular affair" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a predicate nominative or object complement, describing an event or situation that has become routine or customary. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a regular affair" is a phrase used to describe something that has become a common or routine occurrence. While grammatically correct and usable, according to Ludwig, it is relatively rare. Its primary contexts include news media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in conveying that the event or situation has become normalized or expected. Alternatives like "a common occurrence" or "a frequent event" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common occurrence

Emphasizes the frequency with which something happens, differing in its focus on the event rather than the arrangement.

a frequent event

Highlights the repetition of an event, without necessarily implying an organized or planned aspect.

a routine matter

Suggests something is handled according to established procedures.

a habitual practice

Implies a behavior or action that is consistently repeated by an individual or group.

an established custom

Focuses on the traditional and long-standing nature of the practice.

a standard procedure

Highlights that something is official and prescribed.

a typical situation

Focuses on how commonly the situations happens.

a normal state of affairs

Suggests that something is within the expected or usual range.

a recurring phenomenon

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of an observable event.

a predictable pattern

Highlights the anticipated sequence of occurences.

FAQs

How can I use "a regular affair" in a sentence?

You can use "a regular affair" to describe events or situations that happen frequently and are considered normal. For example, "The weekly team meeting has become "a regular affair" for the project team".

What are some alternatives to "a regular affair"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a common occurrence", "a frequent event", or "a routine matter" instead of "a regular affair".

Is it appropriate to use "a regular affair" in formal writing?

Yes, "a regular affair" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing recurring events or established practices. However, ensure that the tone and context of your writing align with the phrase's connotation.

What's the difference between "a regular affair" and "a formal affair"?

"A regular affair" implies something happens frequently, while "a formal affair" refers to a specific type of event characterized by elegance and adherence to strict etiquette. The phrases are unrelated in meaning, despite sharing the word "affair".