an internal affair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an internal affair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a matter or issue that is confined within a particular organization, group, or country, and is not meant to involve outside parties. Example: "The decision to change the company's policy is considered an internal affair and will not be discussed publicly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Roethke (2011, p. 38) underlines that "some scholars argue that territorial integrity merely safeguards the inviolability of international borders but does not regulate an internal affair such as secession".

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

New arrivals are still trickling into the Thai camps following the latest such attack, earlier this year.In this section A little solidarity Abe steps up An internal affair A dope dupe A burden but also a boon ReprintsOne fugitive Karen says she was a teenager when her family was among the first to arrive in Mae La, in 1984.

The Economist

They pretend relations between the island's two communities are an internal affair, even though, by treaty, it's been an international issue for 50 years.

The Guardian

"It's more an internal affair".

The New York Times

Bin Salman said Nimr's execution was an internal affair.

The Guardian

Russia's president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, called the elections "an internal affair" and pledged Russia's support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

For K. everything but detente was an internal affairs.

The New Yorker

Walter Braun, said an internal affairs investigation had been started.

The New York Times

For K. everything but detente was an internal affairs..

The New Yorker

The Police Department is conducting an internal affairs investigation to determine if the officers acted inappropriately.

The New York Times

One simple reform would be to set up an "internal affairs" division that would investigate breaches of monastic discipline.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an internal affair", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific entity (country, organization, etc.) to which the affair is internal. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "an internal affair" when the issue has clear and significant international implications. Overstating the internal nature of a situation can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an internal affair" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. It denotes a matter or issue that is considered to be within the jurisdiction or responsibility of a particular entity. Ludwig confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an internal affair" is a noun phrase used to describe a matter or issue that is considered to be the responsibility of a specific entity, such as a country or organization. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase often implies that external intervention is unwarranted. Related phrases include "a domestic matter" and "an in-house matter". When using this phrase, clarity about the entity involved is crucial to avoid ambiguity. While labeling something as "an internal affair", it’s important to consider potential international implications. As Ludwig underlines, failure to acknowledge external implications might weaken an argument's credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an in-house matter

This emphasizes that the affair is contained within a specific organization or company.

a domestic matter

This alternative emphasizes the issue's confinement within a country's borders.

a private matter

This suggests the issue is personal or confidential and not for public knowledge.

a national issue

This focuses on the issue's relevance to the entire nation.

a company matter

This alternative is specific to affairs within a business.

an intramural affair

It suggests that something is taking place within the walls of an institution.

a matter for the state

This highlights the government's involvement and responsibility for an event.

an affair of state

This emphasizes that the affair is related to governmental matters.

a local concern

This highlights the issue's relevance to a specific geographic area.

an indigenous problem

This refers to an issue that originates within a particular group or region.

FAQs

How to use "an internal affair" in a sentence?

You can use "an internal affair" to describe a situation or issue that is considered to be the responsibility of a particular group, organization, or country, without external interference. For example, "The company's restructuring is considered "an internal affair" and will not be discussed publicly".

What can I say instead of "an internal affair"?

You can use alternatives like "a private matter", "a domestic issue", or "an in-house matter", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "an internal affair"?

It's appropriate when the issue is genuinely confined within a specific entity and does not have significant repercussions for external parties or international relations. For example, some might argue that an election is "an internal affair".

What are the implications of labeling something as "an internal affair"?

Labeling something as "an internal affair" often implies that external intervention is unwarranted or inappropriate. However, this can be controversial if the issue involves human rights or international law, as some situations may warrant international attention despite being initially framed as internal matters.