a fair number

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fair number" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an amount of things that is enough to be noticed, but not enough to be significant. For example, "There were a fair number of people in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Ten is a fair number".

The New York Times - Sports

We've used a fair number".

The Guardian - Sport

And there are already a fair number.

The New York Times - Arts

For us it's a fair number".

The New York Times

"A fair number were sent warning letters.

The New York Times - Sports

And a fair number of the hippies bought that programme.

The Guardian - Books

"Yes, we do expect a fair number of gay cowboys".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Would $500 be a fair number?

The New York Times

This guarantees a fair number of used tensors for averaging.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

However, a fair number of victims have chosen litigation.

University of California, Berkeley

And there are also a fair number of political types.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fair number", ensure the context provides a reference point for what would constitute a 'large' or 'small' number, allowing the reader to properly gauge the quantity being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair number" when the actual number is known and precise, especially if that number is surprisingly large or small. Using the exact number provides more clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an approximate quantity. It suggests the amount is noteworthy without being overwhelming, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment that it describes an amount "enough to be noticed, but not enough to be significant."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fair number" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity that is more than a few, but not a large amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usage. It is commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure your audience understands the scale you are referencing. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it should be avoided when the exact number is known and important to the context. For alternatives, consider options such as "quite a few" or "several".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a few

Indicates a noticeable quantity, often more than expected.

a substantial number

Implies the quantity is significant or considerable.

a considerable quantity

Emphasizes the amount is noteworthy or significant.

a noticeable amount

Highlights that the quantity is easily observed or detected.

a moderate number

Highlights the quantity is neither small nor large, but somewhere in between.

a good few

Implies a somewhat larger quantity than "a fair number".

a decent amount

Suggests the quantity is satisfactory or acceptable.

a reasonable quantity

Emphasizes the amount is appropriate or justifiable in a given situation.

a respectable amount

Suggests the quantity is adequate or worthy of recognition.

several

Indicates a number greater than two, but not a large amount.

FAQs

How do you use "a fair number" in a sentence?

Use "a fair number" to indicate a quantity that is more than a few but less than many. For example, "A fair number of students attended the lecture, but it wasn't a full house."

What can I say instead of "a fair number"?

You can use alternatives like "quite a few", "several", or "a considerable amount" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a fair number" or specify an exact quantity?

If the exact quantity is known and relevant, it's generally better to specify it. "A fair number" is suitable when a precise number isn't necessary or available, or when you want to convey an approximate quantity.

What's the difference between "a fair number" and "a significant number"?

"A fair number" indicates a quantity that is more than a few, while "a significant number" implies that the quantity is large enough to be important or impactful.