a fair few

USAGE SUMMARY

'a fair few' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a moderate amount of something. For example, "We've got a fair few documents to process today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A fair few, is the answer, Steve.

The Guardian - Sport

And probably a fair few you don't.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, a fair few anthrozoologists, in fact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She must have earned a fair few patches.

Independent

A fair few of them should be spending time inside.

Independent

And who, it is said, had a fair few.

The Guardian

That should buy a fair few bumper-stickers.

The Economist

In all competitions you're going back a fair few years.

The Guardian - Sport

I should know – I've written a fair few of them.

The Guardian - Money

It's what plants, and a fair few rocks, do.

The Guardian - Books

I've tried a fair few recipes without failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fair few" when you want to indicate a moderate quantity or number that is more than just a few but not a large amount. It strikes a balance between being vague and overly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair few" when you need to be precise about the number. If the exact quantity is important, use a specific number instead of relying on this vague quantifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair few" functions as a quantifier, specifying an indefinite but moderate amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it modifies nouns to indicate quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair few" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a moderate quantity or number, greater than "a few" but less than "many". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's commonly found in news and media, demonstrating a neutral to slightly informal register. When precision is needed, consider using specific numbers or more formal alternatives such as ""several"" or ""a number of"". While ubiquitous in everyday language, remember that context determines its appropriateness. Always strive for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a number

Emphasizes the quantity is considerable but not overwhelming; slightly more formal.

a good number

Similar in meaning but slightly more positive in connotation.

several

More concise and direct; suitable for formal contexts.

a number of

More formal and neutral; commonly used in academic and professional writing.

a considerable amount

Focuses on the amount rather than the count; better suited for uncountable nouns.

a decent amount

Implies the amount is satisfactory or acceptable.

not a few

A more emphatic way of saying "a fair few", often used for dramatic effect.

a handful of

Indicates a small, manageable quantity.

quite a lot

More informal and suggests a larger quantity than "a fair few".

some

Very general and less specific than "a fair few".

FAQs

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

You can use "a fair few" to indicate a moderate quantity. For example, "There were "a fair few" people at the meeting", suggesting more than a handful, but not a crowd.

What phrases are similar to "a fair few"?

Alternatives include "quite a number", "several", or "a number of". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "a fair few" formal or informal?

"A fair few" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "several" or "numerous".

What's the difference between "a few" and "a fair few"?

"A few" indicates a small number, while ""a fair few"" suggests a quantity that is more than just a few, but not a large amount. "A fair few" implies a somewhat larger quantity than "a few".