ENGLISH FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS

Synonyms: affair, business.
“Affair” suggests action or performance; it often implies a process,
an operation, an undertaking.
“Affair” is a single action. That’s my affair, not yours.
The plural “affairs” has a distinctive meaning, including all activities
where men deal with one another on any considerable scale, as in
the management of finances or in the carrying on of diplomatic
negotiations. The Prime Minister is kept busy with affairs of state.
“Business” stresses duty or office; sometimes it suggests an imposed
task. It’s a teacher’s business to help the pupils. That’s no business of
yours.
“Matter” usually is more objective as well as more vague than
“business” or “affair”. It refers to sth. that is merely an object of
consideration or that is to be dealt with. This is a matter I do not
understand.
Phrases: as a matter of fact – really, to tell the truth. As a matter of fact
we haven’t done it yet.
for that matter (for the matter of that) – so far as that is concerned.
He’s a throughly good fellow; so is Tom, for that matter.
in the matter of – as regards. He is strict in the matter of discipline.
no matter who (what, where, etc.) – whoever it is, whatever happens,
etc. Don’t trust him no matter what he says.
3. pay v – 1) to give money for goods or services. Did you pay the
milkman?
2) to settle or get rid of by giving money. At last he paid his debt.
3) to give or offer. He paid her a compliment.
4) to bring as wages or salary. The job pays 100 dollars a week.
5) to be worth while. It will pay you to listen.
pay down – to give as a deposit on some payment. How much did
you have to pay down on the car?
pay off – 1) to pay sb. his wages and discharge him. The steward paid
off the servants and dismissed them.
2) to pay in full (one’s creditors, debts, instalments). I had fine
intentions of paying off every debt.
pay out – 1) to pay (money, wages, income, etc.). We hope they will
pay out our wages.
2) to punish. Some girls would have paid him out for behaving so
badly but she had forgiven him.
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