sensitive affair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sensitive affair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or matter that requires careful handling due to its delicate nature or potential emotional impact. Example: "The negotiations were a sensitive affair, requiring discretion and tact from all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The match was Albania's first visit to Belgrade since 1967 and a highly sensitive affair given long-running tensions over Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has a majority ethnic Albanian population.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a conundrum many families encounter and it can be a delicate and sensitive affair.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When Cerreti felt that Pesce was holding back on a sensitive matter — her marriage, her affair, the habits of the Pesce men — she asked male carabinieri in the room to leave, so that Pesce would feel less likely to be judged.

The New Yorker

Any major concession on such a sensitive internal affair seems especially unlikely during China's once-in-a-decade leadership succession process, now under way.

The New York Times

Furthermore, those in many sensitive foreign affairs, defence and intelligence posts in the Commons are often Labour or Conservative Friends of Israel.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Officers should prepare their own daily necessities and pay board fees as others do, and they are forbidden to sightsee, receive gifts, attend banquets or meddle in sensitive army affairs," Mr. Wang wrote, citing Xinhua.

The New York Times

But when it comes to domestic legislation and not sensitive national-security affairs, the names and the advice of outside consultants and lobbyists should be discoverable according to law.

The New York Times

Iranian government is highly sensitive about cultural affairs.

WikiHow

The Magnitsky affair remains sensitive for the Russian government.

The New Yorker

And I'm certain he'd hate my introduction, which touches on sensitive matters like his affair with the author Nancy Hale.

The New Yorker

A lovingly rendered, subtly acerbic portrait of New York City's upper crust in the late 19th century, the film revolves around the unconsummated love affair between sensitive lawyer Newland Archer Daniell Day-Lewis) and Countess Ellen Olenska Michelle Pfeifferr), whose separation from her brutish husband and general flouting of convention are a scandal proper society cannot tolerate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the potential impact of your words. Choose synonyms or rephrase to mitigate unintended offense or misinterpretation.

Common error

While "sensitive affair" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "delicate matter" or "touchy subject" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sensitive affair" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "sensitive" modifies the noun "affair". It denotes a situation or matter that needs to be handled with care due to its potential to cause offense, emotional distress, or controversy. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sensitive affair" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation or matter requiring careful handling due to its delicate nature or potential for causing offense. While Ludwig confirms its usability, the phrase appears relatively infrequently. Its primary contexts are in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. For best practice, be specific about what makes the "sensitive affair" sensitive. Alternatives include "delicate matter" or "touchy subject". Overusing the phrase may lead to repetitive writing. Ludwig's analysis aligns with the examples, indicating that while correct, careful consideration of context and synonyms is beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive issue

A direct synonym that is highly interchangeable.

delicate matter

Replaces 'affair' with 'matter', implying a situation needing careful handling.

touchy subject

Substitutes 'affair' with 'subject', focusing on the sensitivity of the topic itself.

delicate situation

Replaces 'affair' with 'situation', emphasizing the precariousness of the circumstances.

tricky issue

Uses 'tricky' to describe the complexity and potential for problems within the issue.

thorny problem

Implies a difficult and complex problem, similar to a sensitive issue.

precarious situation

Highlights the instability and risk associated with the situation.

complicated matter

Focuses on the intricate and potentially difficult nature of the matter.

vexed question

Implies a debate or issue that is causing difficulty and disagreement.

awkward situation

Highlights the potential for discomfort or embarrassment in the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "sensitive affair" to describe a situation requiring careful handling. For example, "The negotiation was a "sensitive affair", requiring discretion from all parties involved".

What phrases are similar to "sensitive affair"?

Alternatives include "delicate matter", "touchy subject", or "complicated issue". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "sensitive affair"?

Use "sensitive affair" when describing a situation that has the potential to cause offense, emotional distress, or require discretion. Ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the "sensitive affair" so delicate.

What is the difference between "sensitive affair" and "delicate situation"?

"Sensitive affair" often implies a situation involving personal relationships or potentially scandalous information, while "delicate situation" can refer to a broader range of circumstances requiring careful management.