a fairly long

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fairly long" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss something that is of greater length than average or than expected. For example, you could say, "It took me a fairly long time to figure out the answer to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's a fairly long list.

The New York Times

"That's a fairly long time," Winckler said.

The New Yorker

"It's been a fairly long road.

The New Yorker

That told him he was in a fairly long room.

The Guardian - Books

RH: Is it a fairly long way away, then?

The Guardian - Music

That process is likely to be a fairly long one.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's a contact between two parties, usually a fairly long-term contract, to exchange cash flows.

Yale University

So we're all thinking in terms of this becoming a fairly long-term thing.

The New York Times - Arts

We tend to be a fairly long-term holder.

Forbes

But you're a fairly long-term holder, with an average hold of 586 days.

Forbes

A fairly long-lived July Atlantic hurricane, Claudette began as a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fairly long" in comparative contexts, clarify what you are comparing it to. For example, "a fairly long commute" is more informative if the typical commute time is also mentioned.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "fairly" in your writing. While "a fairly long" is acceptable, constantly relying on "fairly" can weaken your descriptions. Use more precise adjectives to add depth and clarity to your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly long" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by providing information about its length or duration. Ludwig shows that this phrase is frequently used to describe periods of time, lists, or distances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fairly long" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something exceeding average length or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage. It is most frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context for comparison and avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Consider alternatives like "a reasonably long" or "a moderately long" for variety and precision. Remember it's important to set the right expectation, and "a fairly long" provides a balanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonably long

Emphasizes the length is within acceptable limits or expectations.

a moderately long

Suggests a length that is neither short nor excessively extended.

a considerably long

Highlights the notable extent of the duration or length.

a substantially long

Implies the length is significant and impactful.

a relatively long

Indicates the length is greater when compared to something else.

a somewhat extended

Emphasizes that it exceeds the average length.

a bit lengthy

Informal way of saying something is somewhat long.

a protracted

Highlights the duration as being extended, sometimes excessively.

a more extended

States that the time or length in question is longer than another specific one.

a quite long

This variation is more direct while remaining similar in meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fairly long" to describe time, distance, or any quantifiable measure that is more than average. For example, "The movie had "a fairly long running time", but it was worth it."

What are some alternatives to using "a fairly long"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a moderately long", "a reasonably long", or "a considerably long" to describe something that exceeds average length.

Is it better to say "a fairly long time" or "a long time"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a fairly long time" suggests a duration slightly longer than what is typical or expected. "A long time" is more general and can imply a more significant duration.

What is the difference between "a fairly long" and "a very long"?

"A fairly long" indicates something is longer than average, but not excessively so. "A very long" implies something is significantly extended in length or duration.