their private affairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their private affairs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to personal matters or issues that individuals prefer to keep confidential or not disclose to others. Example: "The couple decided to keep their private affairs out of the public eye to maintain their peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They are also becoming more businesslike in running their private affairs.

The Economist

Politicians – like footballers – can have their private affairs publicly outed by kiss-and-tell operatives or a scorned lover.

The Guardian

I have laughed as I have watched them standing outside Westminster being questioned about their private affairs.

The Guardian

But he also stipulated that, in keeping with current practice, those other religions have the right to turn to their own religions in their private affairs.

The New York Times

I do know that regardless of whether these women of a certain age have pubes that reflect their maturity, it's their private affairs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Occasionally they take the leads out of their ears and replace them with rectangles into which they shout about their private affairs and marital disagreements.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In the end, he had decided that if the others wanted to regard Esperanto as a neutral business that was their private affair.

The New Yorker

"They smashed the skulls and poked out the eyes of men and women, of broken old men and helpless infants!" At the conference after that, in Cambridge, in 1907, he said flatly that Esperanto would "become a school for future brotherly humanity". In the end, he had decided that if the others wanted to regard Esperanto as a neutral business that was their private affair.

The New Yorker

That is their private affair.

Huffington Post

Our phones have become "an extension of our memories," the companies argued, and "to access someone's cellphone is to access their innermost thoughts and their most private affairs". Although the companies are right, their earnest defense of privacy is deeply ironic, if not hypocritical.

Los Angeles Times

Our phones have become "an extension of our memories," the companies argued, and "to access someone's cellphone is to access their innermost thoughts and their most private affairs".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the audience and context when using this phrase. In formal writing, consider if a more specific or nuanced term might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using “their private affairs” in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be expected. Instead, consider alternatives like "personal matters" or "confidential information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase “their private affairs” functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and frequently used in English, serving to denote personal matters that are not meant for public knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “their private affairs” is a commonly used phrase to refer to personal matters that individuals wish to keep confidential. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It is most often found in news and media contexts but also appears in academic discussions. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and audience, and consider whether more specific language might be appropriate in formal settings. Alternatives include "their personal matters" or "their confidential issues".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their private lives

A more general term referring to all aspects of their life outside of public or professional spheres.

their personal lives

Similar to 'private lives', but can also include relationships and family.

their confidential matters

Substitutes 'private affairs' with 'confidential matters', highlighting the secrecy aspect.

their personal business

Replaces 'affairs' with 'business', focusing on activities or matters of a personal nature.

their secret lives

Emphasizes the hidden or undisclosed aspect of their personal activities.

their closely guarded secrets

Highlights the element of secrecy and protection surrounding personal information.

their intimate details

Focuses on very personal and often sensitive aspects of their lives.

their inner lives

Focuses on thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are kept internal and not shared.

their family matters

Specifically refers to issues and events concerning their family.

their domestic arrangements

Refers to how they organize and manage their household and home life.

FAQs

How can I use “their private affairs” in a sentence?

You can use “their private affairs” when referring to personal matters individuals prefer to keep confidential. For example, "The company decided not to delve into "their private affairs" during the investigation."

What are some alternatives to “their private affairs”?

Alternatives include "their personal matters", "their confidential issues", or "their personal business" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use “their private affairs”?

It is appropriate when discussing topics or information that individuals have a reasonable expectation to keep secret or not disclose publicly. Using this phrase acknowledges the importance of respecting those boundaries.

What's the difference between “their private affairs” and "their personal lives"?

While both refer to non-public aspects of an individual's life, “their private affairs” often implies a focus on specific issues or activities someone wishes to keep hidden, whereas "their personal lives" is a broader term encompassing everything outside of their professional or public roles.