a fairly short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fairly short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a relatively small length or duration compared to other things. Example: "The meeting was a fairly short one, lasting only thirty minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was thus a fairly short shower.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a fairly short fever.

The New Yorker

A lifetime is a fairly short span, the wise agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Tuesday, he tried to qualify that by calling it a "fairly short period of time".

The New York Times

Usually with a fairly short maturity, EBs offer rates of interest anywhere between 5% and 40%.

The Economist

In case of emergency, Grand-Goâve is a fairly short drive from the capital.

The New York Times

Online retailers often promise to deliver items within a fairly short time frame – and many do.

Independent

After a fairly short pout, he bounced back to become a more formidable senator.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It's a fairly short-lived heatwave, just two days, and for the rest of this week it will remain much cooler".

Independent

It is a fairly short-term cure, but it can be very effective.

WikiHow

"Run it down to empty, then full charge and back to empty, can kill it in a fairly short time".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fairly short", consider the context and ensure the degree of shortness is appropriate and clear to the reader. For example, specify if you mean "a fairly short time", "a fairly short distance", or "a fairly short list".

Common error

Avoid using "a fairly short" without providing context or comparison. Without context, it can be vague and leave the reader unsure of the intended meaning. Always strive for clarity by providing a reference point or specific detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fairly short" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a certain quality or attribute, specifically a limited extent or duration. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fairly short" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something of limited extent or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news media, scientific literature, and general writing, indicating its broad applicability. When using "a fairly short", it is important to provide context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like "a relatively short" or "a reasonably short" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonably short

Emphasizes the adequacy of the shortness, implying it meets a certain requirement.

a relatively short

Highlights the shortness in comparison to something else, indicating a relative measurement.

a comparatively short

Directly compares the shortness to another item, making the comparison explicit.

a considerably short

Indicates a significant degree of shortness, suggesting it's noticeably short.

a noticeably short

Implies the shortness is easily observed or apparent.

a strikingly short

Emphasizes the unexpected or remarkable nature of the shortness.

a surprisingly short

Highlights that the shortness was unexpected or contrary to expectations.

a distinctly short

Indicates the shortness is clear and easily distinguishable.

a particularly short

Focuses on the exceptional or unique nature of the shortness.

a markedly short

Suggests the shortness is evident and worthy of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fairly short" to describe a duration, distance, or length that is shorter than average or expected. For example, "The meeting was "a fairly short" one" or "We took "a fairly short" walk in the park".

What are some alternatives to "a fairly short"?

Some alternatives include "a relatively brief", "<a href="/s/a+reasonably+short" target="rel="nofollow">a reasonably short", or "a comparatively short" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a fairly short time" or "a relatively short time"?

Both "a fairly short time" and "a relatively short time" are correct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Fairly" suggests moderately short, while "relatively" implies shortness in comparison to something else.

What does "a fairly short" imply about the subject being described?

"A fairly short" implies that the subject is less than the typical or expected length, duration, or distance, but not extremely so. It suggests a moderate degree of shortness.