a fairly high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a fairly high' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a number or amount that is not very high in comparison to some other number or amount. For example, "The salary he earns is a fairly high one for someone with only a college degree".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There is, of course, a fairly high injury rate.

The New York Times

And there is a fairly high frequency of interesting trivia.

The New York Times - Arts

Bring to the boil and simmer over a fairly high heat for eight minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This gives particular importance to maintaining the public's disposable income at a fairly high level.

The New York Times

The survey also showed that some people paid a fairly high price in amassing their fortunes.

The New York Times

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large, nonstick frying pan over a fairly high heat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Put the chillies in and cook over a fairly high heat until they have darkened somewhat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It seemed that this sample had a fairly high concentration of spores.

The New York Times

The credit card companies have a fairly high cost per transaction.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I've recently relocated to India and purchased a fairly high-end vehicle of Honda.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"One of Gore's assets is that he is a fairly high-energy, high-potency person".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fairly high" to describe data or statistics, provide context or comparison to give the reader a clearer understanding of what "fairly high" means in that specific situation. For example, "A fairly high percentage of students passed the exam this year, compared to previous years".

Common error

Avoid using "a fairly high" when the situation requires a more precise or impactful description. If the degree is truly significant, consider using stronger adjectives like 'very high', 'extremely high', or quantifying the degree with specific numbers or statistics to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly high" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree or level of the noun, indicating that it is above average but not extremely so. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fairly high" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is above average but not at an extreme level. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using "a fairly high", it's important to provide context to clarify the specific meaning in the given situation, and avoid using it when a more precise or impactful description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moderately high

Replaces 'fairly' with 'moderately' to indicate a similar, slightly formal level of intensity.

a reasonably high

Substitutes 'fairly' with 'reasonably' suggesting a justifiable or acceptable level that is high.

a somewhat high

Uses 'somewhat' instead of 'fairly' to soften the intensity of 'high', implying a slight degree.

a comparatively high

Replaces 'fairly' with 'comparatively' to emphasize that the level is high relative to something else.

a relatively high

Similar to 'comparatively high', this highlights that the level is high in relation to a specific context or standard.

a substantially high

Replaces 'fairly' with 'substantially' suggesting a significant level that is high.

a considerably high

This uses 'considerably' to indicate that the high level is worth noting or paying attention to.

an elevated

Uses 'elevated' as an alternative adjective, suggesting something has been raised to a higher position or level.

a significant

Uses 'significant' to highlight the importance or impact of the high level, rather than just its degree.

noticeably high

The degree is of highness is easily perceived or detected.

FAQs

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

Use "a fairly high" to describe something that is above average but not at the extreme end of the scale. For instance, "The company's profits showed a fairly high increase this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "a fairly high"?

You can use alternatives like "a moderately high", "a reasonably high", or "a somewhat high" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a fairly high" or "a very high"?

"A fairly high" suggests something is above average but not extreme, while "a very high" indicates a significantly elevated level. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the degree you want to express. If something is near the top of the scale, "a very high" is more appropriate.

Can "a fairly high" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a fairly high" is appropriate for formal writing. However, depending on the context, more precise language might be preferred to provide a clearer and more objective description. Consider quantifying the degree whenever possible.