a fairly safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fairly safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively secure or poses a low risk. Example: "Investing in government bonds is considered a fairly safe option for conservative investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That sounds like a fairly safe price.

The New York Times

It's a fairly safe bet that he will.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's also a fairly safe bet that it won't be.

The Guardian - Books

Individual scenes are thrilling, but the production is a fairly safe ride.

The New York Times

Among them: Charters are a fairly safe cause for Democrats, vouchers are not.

The New Yorker

That seems like a fairly safe margin of victory for the Establishment.

The Guardian

It seems a fairly safe bet that Radiohead should be into Steve Reich.

The Guardian - Music

"But I think we can run a fairly safe operation in there".

The New York Times

A fairly safe comment in those circumstances is: "This is terrific, sweetheart.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a fairly safe assumption given the designation of the FTAA as the extension of NAFTA.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Organised play offers a (fairly) safe outlet for competitive impulses that might otherwise get out of hand.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing investments, use "a fairly safe" to convey a balance between risk and return, appealing to investors seeking moderate security.

Common error

Avoid using "a fairly safe" when describing situations requiring absolute certainty; instead, opt for phrases like "completely safe" or "risk-free" to accurately reflect the level of security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly safe" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, indicating a moderate level of security or low risk associated with that noun. Ludwig examples confirm this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fairly safe" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something with a moderate level of security or low risk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. While alternatives like "reasonably secure" or "relatively risk-free" exist, "a fairly safe" offers a balanced and accessible way to convey reassurance without overstating the level of security. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the specific context and choose words that accurately reflect the degree of safety being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively risk-free

Highlights the absence of significant risk, framing the safety in terms of potential negative outcomes.

quite secure

Indicates a level of security that is above average, similar to "fairly safe" but slightly stronger.

comparatively secure

Positions the security in relation to other options, implying a safer alternative.

reasonably secure

Emphasizes the adequacy of security rather than the degree of safety.

acceptably secure

Highlights that the security level meets a required or expected standard.

moderately protected

Focuses on the protection aspect, suggesting a middle ground in terms of security measures.

substantially protected

Stresses the degree of protection provided, indicating significant safety measures.

somewhat guarded

Suggests a degree of caution and protection, implying a proactive approach to safety.

genuinely safe

Emphasizes the authenticity and reliability of the safety being described.

passably harmless

Focuses on the absence of danger, implying that something is safe enough to not cause harm.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fairly safe" to describe something with a moderate level of security. For example, "Investing in government bonds is considered "a fairly safe" option."

What are some alternatives to "a fairly safe"?

Alternatives include "reasonably secure", "relatively risk free", or "moderately protected", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fairly safe" or "very safe"?

"Fairly safe" implies a moderate level of security, while "very safe" suggests a higher degree of security. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of risk.

What's the difference between "a fairly safe" and "a risk-free" investment?

"A fairly safe" investment implies a low level of risk but not its complete absence, whereas "a risk-free" investment suggests no risk whatsoever, which is rare in reality.