love affair

USAGE SUMMARY

'love affair' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a romantic or sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other. For example: "He had been involved in a number of love affairs before he met his wife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A love affair was born.

The New York Times

A distant love affair, yeah.

The New Yorker

They have a love affair.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't a love affair.

The New York Times

The love affair is over.

The New York Times

It was a love affair.

The Economist

A love affair.

The New York Times - Magazine

My flagging love affair?

The New York Times

So began my love affair with cooking.

The New York Times

It was not just a love affair.

The New Yorker

That is when the love affair began.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "love affair", be mindful of the connotations. It can imply secrecy or disapproval, especially if it refers to an adulterous relationship. Consider whether a more neutral term like "relationship" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Don't assume "love affair" solely refers to romantic relationships. It can also describe a strong enthusiasm or fondness for something. For example, "I have a love affair with cooking" doesn't imply a romantic connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "love affair" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often denoting a romantic or sexual relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and commonly used expression in English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing both interpersonal relationships and passionate interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "love affair" is a versatile noun phrase that commonly describes a romantic or sexual relationship, often with connotations of secrecy or impropriety. However, Ludwig AI and the examples show that it can also express a strong enthusiasm or fondness for something. Given its dual meaning, writers should be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpretation. The phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and media sources, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

romantic relationship

Replaces "love affair" with a more general term for a romantic connection.

sexual relationship

Specifies the relationship as sexual, which may be implied but not always explicit in "love affair".

secret romance

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the romantic relationship.

extramarital affair

Specifies that the affair is happening outside of a marriage.

passionate romance

Highlights the intense emotional aspect of the relationship.

deep affection

Highlights the strong emotional bond between individuals.

intimate liaison

A more formal and discreet way of referring to a romantic relationship.

fling

Implies a short-lived and less serious relationship.

tryst

Focuses on the secretive meetings between lovers.

infatuation

Suggests a strong but often short-lived feeling of love or admiration.

FAQs

What does "love affair" mean?

A "love affair" typically refers to a romantic or sexual relationship, often secret or illicit. It can also describe a strong fondness or enthusiasm for something.

What can I say instead of "love affair" when referring to a romantic relationship?

Depending on the context, you could use "romantic relationship", "fling", "liaison", or "romance".

How can "love affair" be used in a sentence?

Examples include: "They had a brief love affair," or "She has a love affair with Italian cuisine."

Is "love affair" always negative?

No, while it can imply secrecy or impropriety, "love affair" can also describe a strong passion or enthusiasm for something without any negative connotations, as in "a love affair with books".