a fairly fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fairly fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively quick or speedy, often in comparison to other options or standards. Example: "The new car model is a fairly fast vehicle, making it ideal for racing enthusiasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The result is a "fairly fast surface".

The Economist

The motors move fast and are able to keep up with a fairly fast moving object.

Cornell University

You are selling many food items, so I would expect a fairly fast turnover.

The New York Times

A fairly fast recovery to a superconducting state after a fault is also clarified.

Cryogenics

After a fairly fast first lap, the pace slowed during the second.

The Washington Post

Conclave, Harris's 11th novel, wasn't an easy book to write, but it was a fairly fast one.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In my defense, I found a job fairly fast after graduation.

Huffington Post

As your skin cells die (a very normal, fairly fast process) you should be able to easily scrub and wash off any remaining ink.

WikiHow

"Well, for a neuron to travel a foot takes a microsecond – which is fairly fast.

The Guardian

Details and a general outline gather fairly fast (Colleen is an actress, retired and so on) in scenes that either clarify meaning or appear intent on retarding it.

The New York Times

"We got involved in a number of things fairly fast," he said, and their new local friends included a waterman who taught them how to catch crabs and tong for oysters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing performance or progress, use "a fairly fast" to indicate a pace that is better than average but not exceptional. It's useful for setting expectations accurately.

Common error

Avoid using "a fairly fast" when the context implies exceptional speed. It can create a mismatch between expectation and reality. For example, do not use it in competitive scenarios where top speed is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly fast" primarily functions as a pre-modifier in a noun phrase, typically describing the speed or rate of something. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound. This is evident in examples like "a fairly fast Internet connection" and "a fairly fast pace."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fairly fast" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is faster than average, though not exceptionally so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it appears frequently in various contexts, notably News & Media, Science and Wiki. It is suitable for neutral registers and serves the purpose of quantifying or qualifying speed in a relative manner. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the described context to accurately represent the intended speed. The most authoritative sources using the term are The New York Times, The Guardian, TechCrunch, Forbes and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively fast

Replaces "fairly" with "relatively", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning but emphasizing comparison.

rather speedy

Replaces "fairly" with "rather", providing a slightly more emphatic way to express a similar level of speed.

quite rapid

Replaces "fairly" with "quite", suggesting a similar degree of speed but with a slightly more formal tone.

pretty quick

Uses "pretty" as an informal substitute for "fairly", making the phrase more casual and conversational.

reasonably quick

Substitutes both "fairly" and "fast" with synonyms, offering a slightly softer and more moderate connotation of speed.

decently fast

Offers a more colloquial alternative using "decently" to suggest an acceptable or satisfactory level of speed.

moderately speedy

Employs "moderately" and "speedy" to convey a similar meaning with a slight shift in emphasis towards the rate of movement.

noticeably fast

Emphasizes that the speed is easily observed or detected, adding a layer of perception to the description.

somewhat swift

Uses "somewhat" and "swift" to provide a more elegant and concise alternative, implying a notable but not extreme pace.

appreciably quick

Uses "appreciably" to indicate that the speed is significant or considerable, adding a sense of value or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a fairly fast" in a sentence?

You can use "a fairly fast" to describe the speed of processes, objects, or actions. For instance, "The download speed was "a fairly fast" 10 Mbps".

What are some alternatives to "a fairly fast"?

Some alternatives include "quite rapid", "reasonably quick", or "moderately speedy", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a fairly fast"?

It is appropriate when you want to indicate something is faster than average but not exceptionally so. It sets a realistic expectation of the speed being described.

Is "a fairly fast" formal or informal?

"A fairly fast" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without sounding out of place.