handle affairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handle affairs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to managing or dealing with various matters or responsibilities. Example: "As the project manager, it is my duty to handle affairs related to the team's progress and deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We don't have a diplomatic relationship with them, so we can't do anything to help you.' " In May, 2014, the families had a joint meeting with Daniel Rubinstein, a special envoy appointed to handle affairs in Syria.

The New Yorker

The Thirteen Offices, all organized solely by Chinese eunuchs, had been the abomination of the Manchus ever since they had been introduced by the late emperor, to handle affairs of the imperial household, patterned after an elaborate model that had existed under the preceding dynasty the Chinese Ming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, many will question the prime minister's ability to handle affairs of state if he's simultaneously defending himself in court.

BBC

This requires the two countries to strengthen co-operation, expand understanding, proceed from the overall situation of friendly co-operation, and properly handle affairs with a pragmatic attitude.

BBC

You must also deal with the added complexity of managing the trust during your lifetime and designate a trustee to handle affairs after your death.

Forbes

Akerlof (1991) points out that significance is one of the mechanisms involved when organizations handle affairs, namely, giving high weight to significant or vivid events and placing a lower degree of attention on less-significant events.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Marykay Shepherd, his daughter, now handles affairs on the ranch.

The New York Times - Tech

Diplomacy, as the Webster dictionary says, is either "the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations", or a "skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility".

The Guardian - Opinion

The unification ministry, which handles affairs related to the North, said policy towards the regime in Pyongyang would continue "without disruption".

The Guardian

Brought into direct contact with men accustomed to handling affairs of state, he had found himself lacking an equal forcefulness and felt that in consequence he often forfeited the respect of others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seoul's unification ministry, which handles affairs between the two countries, said operations at the industrial park, located just a few miles inside North Korea, would resume some time after a trial run starting on Monday.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the phrasing accordingly. While "handle affairs" is generally acceptable, alternatives like "manage responsibilities" or "address issues" may be more suitable depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "handle affairs" in very casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more relaxed phrases like "take care of things" or "sort things out" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handle affairs" functions as a verb phrase, where "handle" is the verb and "affairs" is the noun acting as the object. As seen in Ludwig, this construction indicates the action of managing or dealing with various matters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "handle affairs" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe managing or dealing with responsibilities, tasks, or situations. As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, it's a usable phrase in written English. While it's most commonly found in neutral to professional contexts like news and encyclopedias, it is still considered common. For more informal settings, it's advisable to use phrases like "take care of things" or "sort things out". Understanding these nuances helps writers use "handle affairs" effectively and appropriately in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deal with matters

Emphasizes the act of dealing with specific matters or issues.

manage responsibilities

Focuses more on the responsibilities aspect rather than the general 'affairs'.

address issues

Emphasizes problem-solving and resolution.

oversee activities

Highlights the supervisory aspect of managing affairs.

take care of business

A more informal and colloquial way of saying "handle affairs".

execute tasks

Focuses on the completion or performance of duties.

attend to duties

Focuses on the obligation and performance of tasks.

administer operations

Suggests a more formal and organizational context.

supervise operations

Highlights control and oversight in a business context.

conduct proceedings

More specific to formal or legal processes.

FAQs

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

You can use "handle affairs" to describe managing or dealing with responsibilities. For example, "As the project manager, it's my duty to handle affairs related to the team's progress."

What are some alternatives to "handle affairs"?

You can use alternatives like "manage responsibilities", "deal with matters", or "take care of business" depending on the context.

Is "handle affairs" formal or informal?

"Handle affairs" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for business, news, and general writing, but might sound too formal in very casual conversations. It is better to use a more informal phrase, like "sort things out".

What is the difference between "handle affairs" and "manage affairs"?

While "handle affairs" and "manage affairs" are similar, "manage" often implies a more structured or ongoing process, while "handle" can refer to dealing with specific incidents or tasks. The terms are often interchangeable, but the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.