a fair expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fair expectation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a reasonable or justifiable expectation that someone may have. Example: It is a fair expectation that employees will be treated with respect and fairness in the workplace. In this example, "a fair expectation" is used to convey the idea that it is reasonable to expect that employees will be treated well in their workplace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A five-minute face-to-face with the guy was a fair expectation.

The Washington Post

Madoff's lawyer, Ira Sorkin, replied: "I think that's a fair expectation".

The Guardian - Business

It's a fair expectation, given that Edmunds.com publishes one of the most popular Web sites for used-car buyers.

The New York Times - Tech

She added that she would need to join one of Nascar's elite teams to have a fair expectation of success.

The New York Times - Sports

I'll have to respectfully disagree with Barnes here, because while sex is indeed a fair expectation in most marriages, so unfortunately is stress and hardship.

The Guardian - Opinion

Settling down to start a family may not be a fair expectation of the relationship, but the relationship might offer love, fun, support, and opportunities to learn about yourself and someone else.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But is that a realistic or even fair expectation in today's world for both myself and my prospective partner?

Huffington Post

They might accept the reality that they will not see the lineup that won those World Series, but for their $12, $8 or $5 tickets, they might have a reasonable expectation of seeing a fair share of that lineup, say, Jeter, Brosius, O'Neill and Posada.

The New York Times - Sports

Large organizations oriented toward any common good take this fact for granted: They require stable funding to operate toward their ends, and so long as they aren't prohibiting constituents from personal expression or pursuit of private goods, contribution of one's fair share is a reasonable expectation.

The Washington Post

My fellow OCD patients signed up for therapy, as I did, in the full and fair expectation that their involvement would remain confidential, so I'll be vague.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chief among these is a reasonable expectation from the profession that audit will be 'fair' to clinical teams.

Heart

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a fair expectation" to acknowledge and validate the reasonable hopes and desires of others, fostering trust and understanding in negotiations or discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair expectation" when the anticipated outcome is highly uncertain or dependent on numerous uncontrollable factors. Instead, use phrases like "a possible outcome" or "a potential scenario" to convey a more nuanced sense of possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair expectation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'fair' modifies 'expectation'. It describes the quality or characteristic of the expectation, indicating that it is reasonable, justifiable, or equitable. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair expectation" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an anticipation that is reasonable and justifiable. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts, it serves to manage expectations and establish common ground. When using "a fair expectation", remember to ensure that the expectation is genuinely based on evidence and avoid overstating its certainty. Alternatives like "a reasonable expectation" and "a legitimate expectation" can provide similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable expectation

Replaces "fair" with "reasonable", emphasizing the rationality and justification of the expectation.

a legitimate expectation

Substitutes "fair" with "legitimate", highlighting the lawful or rightful basis of the expectation.

a justifiable expectation

Replaces "fair" with "justifiable", stressing the defensible or warrantable nature of the expectation.

a valid expectation

Uses "valid" instead of "fair", focusing on the soundness and well-foundedness of the expectation.

a realistic expectation

Replaces "fair" with "realistic", emphasizing the feasibility and practicality of the expectation.

a well-founded expectation

Replaces "fair" with "well-founded", highlighting the strong basis or evidence supporting the expectation.

a warranted expectation

Substitutes "fair" with "warranted", stressing that the expectation is authorized or justified.

a deserved expectation

Replaces "fair" with "deserved", focusing on the moral rightness or justness of the expectation.

a rightful expectation

Uses "rightful" instead of "fair", highlighting the legitimate claim or entitlement associated with the expectation.

a predictable outcome

Shifts from "expectation" to "outcome", focusing on the anticipated result that is likely to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "a fair expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "a fair expectation" to describe something that is reasonably anticipated or likely to happen. For example, "It is "a fair expectation" that the project will be completed on time, given the current progress."

What's a good alternative to "a fair expectation"?

Alternatives include "a reasonable expectation", "a legitimate expectation", or "a realistic expectation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a fair expectation"?

While generally acceptable, "a fair expectation" should be used when the expectation is genuinely reasonable and based on solid evidence or reasoning. Avoid using it when the expectation is overly optimistic or lacks sufficient justification.

What's the difference between "a fair expectation" and "a hope"?

"A fair expectation" implies a degree of likelihood based on evidence or reason, while "a hope" is a desire or wish that may not be grounded in reality. "A fair expectation" is more grounded in probability.