both are fairly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both are fairly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two subjects or items to indicate that they are both to a moderate degree or extent in some quality or characteristic. Example: "In terms of performance, both are fairly efficient, making them suitable for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Both are fairly entertaining, but awfully redundant.

The New York Times

Both are fairly easy to use.

The New York Times

While the Met has two paintings by Dürer, both are fairly small, devotional works and neither represents the monumental altarpieces for which he is best known.

The New York Times - Arts

Reducing a company's carbon emissions, say, or minimising waste may be challenging from a technical or economic perspective, but both are fairly clear-cut as exercises in process management.

The Guardian

"Given the prospects of further recessionary pressures and the political situation, both are fairly likely today," said José M. Barrionuevo, director of emerging market strategy and economics at BNP Paribas.

The New York Times

Both are fairly sleepily inoffensive, and if you really take against Brit-Irish bars you can easily steer clear of them; the only time I saw package tourists was when their pink faces were pressed against the window of their tour bus as it sweated through Famara village where I was tucking into some post-surf lunch.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Toyota and Lexus both were fairly steady on their quality" in the dependability report released last month, says Dave Sargent, J.D. Power's vice president of global vehicle research.

Forbes

Both were fairly typical.

The Guardian - Sport

For teen-agers in the Tehran of the Shah's era, they had both been fairly conservative.

The New Yorker

Two polls taken for each of the major parties since the convention showed Mr. Bush with leads of 6 and 7 percentage points, but both were fairly conservative with their estimates of black turnout.

The New York Times

And both were fairly new to the job.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "both are fairly", ensure that the context clearly establishes what "both" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and makes the comparison clearer for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "both are fairly" when there is a significant difference between the two subjects being compared. Using a more precise descriptor will provide a more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both are fairly" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a moderate degree of similarity or equivalence between two subjects. It modifies an adjective or adverb, suggesting the quality is present to a notable but not extreme extent. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "both are fairly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a moderate degree of similarity between two subjects. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English and can enhance clarity in your writing. It is particularly prevalent in news, science, and general articles. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a balanced assessment without overstating the similarity. Considering alternatives such as "both are quite" or "both are reasonably" can also enrich your writing style and improve its precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both are reasonably

Replaces "fairly" with "reasonably", maintaining a similar level of approximation.

both are quite

Substitutes "fairly" with "quite", suggesting a slightly higher degree of similarity.

both are relatively

Uses "relatively" instead of "fairly", emphasizing the comparison against a specific standard or context.

both are moderately

Replaces "fairly" with "moderately", providing a more formal alternative that emphasizes the moderate extent.

both are somewhat

Substitutes "fairly" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly lesser degree of approximation.

both are approximately

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the similarity, replacing "fairly" with "approximately".

both are generally

Uses "generally" to suggest that the similarity holds true in most cases but not necessarily all.

both are largely

Substitutes "fairly" with "largely", indicating a substantial degree of similarity.

both are to some extent

Rephrases to emphasize that the similarity exists but might not be comprehensive or absolute.

both share a resemblance

Shifts the structure to focus on the shared resemblance, rather than directly stating their degree of similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "both are fairly" in a sentence?

You can use "both are fairly" to indicate that two subjects share a characteristic to a moderate degree. For example, "Both solutions are fairly effective, but one is cheaper."

What are some alternatives to "both are fairly"?

Alternatives include "both are quite", "both are reasonably", or "both are somewhat" depending on the intended nuance.

Is it better to use "both are fairly" or "both are very"?

The choice depends on the degree of similarity you wish to convey. "Both are fairly" indicates a moderate level, while "both are very" suggests a high level of similarity. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the comparison.

Can "both are fairly" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "both are fairly" is acceptable in formal writing. However, in some contexts, more precise language might be preferred, such as "both are moderately" or "both are relatively".