a separate affair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a separate affair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation or matter that is distinct from another one being discussed. Example: "While the budget review is important, the upcoming project launch is a separate affair that requires our immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The Lebanese businessman is under investigation in a separate affair over arms sales to Pakistan in the 1990s.

The Guardian

(Hats are a separate affair, and point shoes have their own department: the company has a ballet shoe supervisor).

The New York Times - Arts

The cargo management system, which consists of a rack mounted in the rear compartment and various pouches and containers that can be clipped onto it, is a separate affair.

The New York Times

Mr Boutros-Ghali, hoping to preserve Egypt's leadership of the Arab world, was one of those who urged on his president the idea that an Israeli-Egyptian peace should not be a separate affair but should be linked unbreakably to efforts to obtain a wider Israeli-Palestinian peace.

The Economist

Cresson was further criticized for her role in a separate affair surrounding the Leonardo da Vinci vocational training scheme.

Science Magazine

And in a separate affair, millions more may have been embezzled by a few company executives who were bribing government officials for contracts and then receiving kickbacks.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These days, alongside the council, there is a separate internal affairs division, designed to root out misconduct on the part of both players and developers after some nasty allegations of insider dealing with the valuable engineering schematics.

The Guardian - Tech

That report also faulted the department for not conducting a separate internal affairs investigation into the tactics used by the officers, for waiting 36 hours before interviewing them and for providing the pair with video recordings of the aftermath of the shooting before their interviews — an action that "is likely to distort pure recall either consciously or subconsciously," the report said.

Los Angeles Times

Devo max Promised powers for Holyrood in the wake of the no vote – Scotland and England united, but with separate affairs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Clippers-Lakers doubleheaders are, naturally, separate affairs, with their own admissions and fan bases and contrasting team histories, with the Clippers almost always the afterthought, although not this season with Chris Paul having joined Blake Griffin in the starting five.

The New York Times - Sports

In April 1869 Sir Charles Mordaunt (1836 1897) learnt that his wife had had three separate affairs, and that her lovers included the heir to the throne.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear why the two affairs are being distinguished, providing sufficient information for the reader to understand the separation.

Common error

Avoid using "a separate affair" when the two situations are intrinsically linked or significantly influence each other; in such cases, it may be more appropriate to highlight the connection rather than emphasize separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a separate affair" primarily functions as a noun phrase that serves to specify a distinct event, issue, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science & Research

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a separate affair" is used to denote a distinct event or situation, separate from another under discussion. As validated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and utility are confirmed by its presence across various sources. The phrase functions to clearly distinguish matters, and while suitable for formal contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When incorporating this phrase in your writing, make certain that the contexts you are referring to are indeed different from each other. Alternatives such as "a distinct matter" or "an unrelated issue" can be employed to achieve similar clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct matter

Emphasizes the clear difference and lack of overlap between two things.

an unrelated issue

Highlights the absence of any connection between the two subjects.

a different situation

Focuses on the contrasting circumstances of the two affairs.

an independent case

Stresses the self-contained nature and lack of reliance on other factors.

a discrete event

Presents it as an individual, unconnected occurrence.

another business

This refers to a distinct matter, focusing on separation.

a detached incident

Underscores the isolation and lack of relatedness to other incidents.

a standalone event

Emphasizes that the event is complete and self-sufficient.

an isolated instance

Conveys the idea that the occurrence is unique and not part of a pattern.

a self-contained episode

Highlights that the episode has a beginning and end and does not rely on external factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "a separate affair" to refer to something distinct from the main topic. For example: "The budget review is important, but the upcoming project launch is "a separate affair" that needs immediate attention."

What are some alternatives to "a separate affair"?

Alternatives include "a distinct matter", "an unrelated issue", or "a different situation", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a separate affair" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when needing to clearly distinguish between two distinct issues or events. Its formality is neutral and widely accepted.

How does "a separate affair" differ from "another matter"?

"A separate affair" emphasizes the distinct nature of two things, while "another matter" simply introduces a new topic. "A separate affair" suggests less connection than "another matter" might imply.