fair step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair step" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe a reasonable or just action taken, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "Taking a fair step towards resolving the issue, the committee decided to hold a public meeting."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A good level of polish has clearly been applied in many of the right places, however, marking Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo as a fair step up from Ride.

The Guardian - Tech

The Confederation of British Industry deputy director general, Katja Hall, said: "The introduction of thresholds is an important, but fair, step to ensure that strikes have the clear support of the workforce.

The Guardian

A fair step control is obtained for the inertial mechanisms while the quasistatic waveforms give a somewhat larger scatter.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Instead of taking this fundamentally fair step, the Department has devoted extensive time and resources in litigation to establish that it has unfettered discretion to make the "policy assessment" that no action is warranted.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Think: Anna Wintour, the imperious editor-in-chief of Condé Nast's Vogue, who inspired the novel and film "The Devil Wears Prada," and Graydon Carter, the bon vivant editor of Vanity Fair, stepping out of black limousines at ground zero.

The New York Times

But, to be fair, stepping back from the 4percentt promise is probably a good idea, especially since GDP growth in the first quarter was running at about 1.4percentt annual rate.

Vice

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is a homely beauty, a many-acre stepchild of two World's Fairs, stepping gingerly between noisy highways and stadiums and a polluted bay.

The New York Times

Other ideas being worked on by those at the fair include step-by-step directions from plane seats to train carriages (or to a pre-emptively booked taxi if that train is cancelled while the passenger is in the air).

The Economist

Dr. Mark Orfinger, the principal of Mamaroneck High, called the job fair "a step in the right direction".

The New York Times

Steven T. Florio, chief executive of Condé Nast Publications, home to magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair, will step down next month after 10 years overseeing the publishing company, the company announced yesterday.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Schumer had proposed that 30 million barrels be released, he said he believed the Gore proposal was a fair first step, and more important, a sign that the administration may be closer to unlocking the oil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fair step", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the step 'fair'. Providing specific reasons or justifications will strengthen the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "fair step" as a generic placeholder for any action. Always ensure the action genuinely promotes fairness and equity; otherwise, opt for a more neutral term like "measure" or "action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair step" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of the 'step', indicating that it is equitable or just. Examples from Ludwig, indicate it frequently describes a policy or action taken.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fair step" describes an action or decision considered just and equitable, but it's relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI suggests that while grammatically acceptable, it's not frequently used, and that clarity is enhanced when the fairness aspect is explicitly justified. Contexts for its use include News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. Alternatives like "equitable measure" or "just course of action" might be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance. While understandable, consider more common and descriptive phrases for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equitable measure

Replaces "fair" with "equitable" to emphasize impartiality; "step" is replaced with "measure" to denote an action taken.

just course of action

Substitutes "fair" with "just", highlighting moral correctness; "step" becomes "course of action", indicating a series of acts.

reasonable measure

Replaces "fair" with "reasonable", focusing on rationality and practicality; "step" is replaced with "measure" to denote an action taken.

impartial move

Replaces "fair" with "impartial", stressing lack of bias; "step" is simplified to "move" for brevity.

appropriate action

Emphasizes suitability and correctness, replacing "fair" with "appropriate"; "step" is replaced by "action", denoting a deed.

equitable advance

Replaces "fair" with "equitable" to emphasize impartiality; "step" is replaced with "advance" to mean forward movement or progress.

just initiative

Replaces "fair" with "just", highlighting moral correctness; "step" becomes "initiative", indicating a new effort.

reasonable approach

Replaces "fair" with "reasonable", focusing on rationality; "step" becomes "approach", suggesting a method.

impartial decision

Replaces "fair" with "impartial", stressing lack of bias; "step" becomes "decision" for a concrete choice.

appropriate measure

Emphasizes suitability and correctness, replacing "fair" with "appropriate"; "step" is replaced with "measure" to denote an action taken.

FAQs

What does "fair step" mean?

The phrase "fair step" describes an action or decision that is considered just, equitable, and appropriate in a particular situation. It implies progress towards a more balanced or unbiased outcome.

How can I use "fair step" in a sentence?

You can use "fair step" to describe a decision or action that promotes equality. For example, "The new policy is a "fair step" towards gender equality in the workplace."

What are some alternatives to "fair step"?

Alternatives to "fair step" include phrases like "equitable measure", "just course of action", or "reasonable measure", depending on the context and the specific aspect of fairness you want to emphasize.

Is "fair step" commonly used in English?

While understandable, "fair step" is not as common as other phrases conveying similar meanings. Consider alternatives to ensure clarity and impact, as suggested by Ludwig AI.