arrange affairs

USAGE SUMMARY

"arrange affairs" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to organize or manage one's personal or professional matters. Example: After the unexpected passing of her father, Sarah had to take a leave of absence from work to arrange affairs and handle the legal documents for his estate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In an equally-quoted-for-sarcasm "study" from AshleyMadison.com (the entire purpose of which is to arrange affairs for married people), the "facts" are in: Android users just seem to love to get their cheat on.

TechCrunch

In the episode, titled "Dangers on a Train," Marge mistakes an Ashley Madison-type website for a Dolly Madison-type cupcake site, not realizing that it's a destination for married people to arrange affairs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For centuries, marriages were arranged affairs, aligning families for economic or political purposes or simply pooling the resources of those scraping by.

The New York Times

Having run mainstream dating services for the past 15 years and corporate networking services before that David took the next logical step and branched out into arranging affairs for married people about five years ago.

Vice

His visit to Egypt was a hastily arranged affair, bolted on to the start of a long-planned commercial tour of Gulf Arab allies and made in the company of a plane-load of British business chiefs, among them the representatives of eight defence and aerospace firms, prompting press headlines at home about Mr Cameron preaching peace in the company of arms-dealers.

The Economist

"The super-wealthy can arrange their affairs so an income doesn't arise in a certain year".

The Guardian - Money

Paddick tells Ken he could have chosen to arrange his affairs differently, like being a sole trader.

The Guardian

He referred to America as an "aggressor" state, and said, "How can the incompetents who cannot even manage and control themselves rule humanity and arrange its affairs?

The New Yorker

"Anyone may arrange his affairs so that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which best pays the treasury.

The New York Times

And of course, those who can will arrange their affairs so that whether or not they become eligible to pay never becomes apparent.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is quite possible that the maneuver is legal under current tax law, and that Bain and Apollo acted completely appropriately to arrange their affairs to make the taxes owed by their partners and employees as low as possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arrange affairs", consider the context carefully. It often implies a degree of formality or a significant life event, such as preparing for a major transition or resolving complex issues.

Common error

Avoid using "arrange affairs" in everyday conversation or casual writing. Simpler phrases like "organize things" or "manage matters" are often more appropriate in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrange affairs" functions as a verb phrase where "arrange" is the verb and "affairs" is the noun. It indicates the act of organizing, managing, or preparing one's personal or professional matters. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "arrange affairs" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, expression used to describe the act of organizing or managing one's personal or professional matters, often in preparation for significant events. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, and its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "manage affairs" or "organize affairs", "arrange affairs" often carries a more formal or serious tone. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for contexts where careful planning and organization are emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage one's affairs

Emphasizes the act of controlling and directing one's personal or professional matters.

organize one's affairs

Highlights the systematic arrangement and structuring of one's matters.

handle one's business

Focuses on the active dealing with and resolution of one's tasks and responsibilities.

settle one's affairs

Implies concluding or resolving pending matters, often in preparation for a significant event.

sort out one's affairs

Suggests resolving complications and bringing order to one's matters.

put one's house in order

A more idiomatic way to describe organizing one's personal or professional life.

straighten out one's affairs

Emphasizes correcting irregularities or problems in one's matters.

wind up one's affairs

Describes concluding or finalizing matters, particularly before retirement or departure.

administer one's estate

Specifically refers to managing one's assets and legacy, particularly after death.

regulate personal matters

Focuses on governing and controlling one's affairs in accordance with certain rules.

FAQs

How can I use "arrange affairs" in a sentence?

You can use "arrange affairs" in a sentence to indicate organizing or managing personal or professional matters. For example: "After his diagnosis, he began to "arrange his affairs" in preparation for the future."

What can I say instead of "arrange affairs"?

You can use alternatives like "manage one's affairs", "organize one's affairs", or "handle one's business" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "arrange affairs"?

It is most appropriate to use "arrange affairs" when discussing significant or complex matters that require careful planning and organization, such as financial planning, estate management, or preparing for a major life transition.

What is the difference between "arrange affairs" and "organize affairs"?

"Arrange affairs" often carries a more formal or serious tone, suggesting preparation for significant life events, while "organize affairs" is a more general term for bringing order to one's matters.