affair,thing,matter,business的区别

affair,thing,matter,business这组名词都有“事情”的意思.
affair 以单数形式出现时,通常指一般的“事情”,而以复数形式出现时,通常指重大的“事情”.不管单、复数这个词所表示的“事情”都包含着“在进行中”、“处在过程中”或“交易、交往”的意思.
Having found out that his wife had an affair with another man, the poor man wanted to kill himself.
那个可怜的男人由于发现他的妻子与另一个男子有私情而想自杀.
Convenience is, however, in all affairs of life, an execrable test of value.
然而,在生活的一切事务中投合是可恶的实用准则.
thing 在含义上比 matter 还要模糊,有时为了含糊其词而有意用 thing.如：I hope things'll be better in the future.
The most frightening thing of all was that not a sound could be heard.
最为吓人的事情是一点声音也听不到.
matter 所表示的“事情”在含意上比较模糊,通常指客观存在的或有待处理的问题
Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.
荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题.
business 所表示的“事情”或“事务”多与“职务”有关,有时这个词指强加的“任务”.口语中的“None of your business!"(这不是你的事!)以及"Mind your own business!"(多管闲事!),很能说明 business 的这种含义
Be that as it may, the nerve poison does its business with man far more quickly than the blood poison.
尽管如此,神经毒液毒杀人类比血毒液快得多.