but fairly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but fairly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or qualification to a statement, indicating that something is true to a certain extent but not completely. Example: "The project was challenging, but fairly manageable with the right resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mean, but fairly accurate.

The Guardian

Vague but fairly uncontroversial.

Independent

Good, but fairly ordinary.

The New York Times - Food

Those hanging are eccentric but fairly tame.

The New York Times

An unglamorous, but fairly safe, option.

The Guardian - Sport

A nice but fairly standard evening in the pub.

Independent

But fairly quickly that number began to erode.

The New York Times

Also an amiable but fairly juvenile parody of "Jaws".

The New Yorker

"It's always been considered not like a base metal, but fairly close to it".

The New York Times

Sekaer's career, he added, "was like the passage of a meteor, very bright but fairly brief".

The New York Times - Arts

In this most recent incarnation it's not merely a sensation but fairly sensational too.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but fairly" to introduce a reasonable limitation or qualification to a statement, ensuring clarity and balance in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but fairly" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives might sound more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but fairly" primarily functions as an adverbial conjunction, connecting two clauses while introducing a qualification or contrast. Ludwig AI shows it's used to temper a previous statement, indicating a moderate degree or level.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but fairly" functions as an adverbial conjunction to introduce a measured contrast or qualification, often seen in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage, presenting many examples of this phrase in action. While versatile, "but fairly" is most effective in neutral registers, offering a balanced perspective without sounding overly formal or informal. When writing, consider using "but fairly" to convey reasonableness and nuance, ensuring clarity and balance in your message. Alternatives like "yet reasonably" or "though moderately" may be considered depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet reasonably

Replaces "but" with "yet" and "fairly" with "reasonably", maintaining a similar level of qualification.

though moderately

Substitutes "but" with "though" and "fairly" with "moderately", indicating a slight contrast.

however adequately

Uses "however" instead of "but" and "adequately" for "fairly", suggesting sufficiency.

still justly

Replaces "but" with "still" and "fairly" with "justly", implying fairness in the contrast.

nevertheless suitably

Offers a more formal alternative, replacing "but" with "nevertheless" and "fairly" with "suitably".

while acceptably

Uses "while" to introduce the contrast and replaces "fairly" with "acceptably", indicating satisfactory quality.

but within reason

Adds the idiom "within reason" to provide a similar connotation to "fairly"

although somewhat

Replace "but" with "although" and "fairly" with "somewhat" to express a slight qualification.

even so reasonably

Use of "even so" and "reasonably" shifts the tone slightly, emphasizing the contrast more.

but to some extent

A more explicit way of expressing the qualification introduced by "but fairly".

FAQs

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

"But fairly" is used to introduce a qualification or contrast to a previous statement, indicating a moderate degree. For example, "The task was challenging, "but fairly" manageable with the right resources."

What can I say instead of "but fairly"?

You can use alternatives like "yet reasonably", "though moderately", or "however adequately" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "but fairly" or "but really"?

Both "but fairly" and "but really" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "But fairly" implies a moderate degree or qualification, while "but really" emphasizes truth or actuality. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "but fairly" and "but somewhat"?

"But fairly" and "but somewhat" both introduce a contrast or qualification, but "but fairly" suggests a sense of reasonableness or justice, whereas "but somewhat" simply indicates a degree or extent. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize fairness or merely indicate a slight contrast.