fair to assume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fair to assume' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that it would be reasonable to make an assumption about something based on the information that you have. For example: It's fair to assume that the store will be closed on Christmas Day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's fair to assume they were campers.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is fair to assume risks are starting to rise.

The Economist

And it's fair to assume that she's open to suggestions.

The New York Times

"It's fair to assume there is a relationship there".

The New York Times

It's fair to assume that Zandi isn't a Trump fan.

The New Yorker

It's fair to assume, though, that he's a better actor.

The Guardian - Film

Bowie, it's fair to assume, would have loved all this.

The Guardian

They are, it's fair to assume, not laughing now.

The Guardian - Music

It's fair to assume that almost all of them belonged to the Islamic faith.

The New Yorker

Either way, it's fair to assume that she's open to suggestions.

The New York Times

As a Hollywood star, it's fair to assume that Patricia Arquette's not doing too badly.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fair to assume", ensure the assumption is based on credible evidence or logical reasoning to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid presenting an assumption made with "fair to assume" as an absolute certainty. Always acknowledge that it's a reasonable inference, not a confirmed fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair to assume" functions as an epistemic phrase, used to express a judgment about the likelihood of a proposition being true. It serves to qualify a statement, indicating that it is a reasonable inference based on available information, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fair to assume" is a highly versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing a reasoned assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. Its neutral tone makes it accessible and appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Remember to use it when you want to suggest a logical inference, but avoid presenting the assumption as an absolute certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable to infer

Replaces 'assume' with 'infer', implying a logical deduction from evidence.

logical to conclude

Emphasizes the rationality of the conclusion drawn.

safe to say

Indicates a confident, though not necessarily proven, assertion.

it stands to reason

Highlights the inherent logic and predictability of the assumption.

one can reasonably expect

Focuses on anticipation based on reasonable grounds.

it is a reasonable expectation

Similar to 'one can reasonably expect', but phrased as a statement.

it is plausible that

Indicates that the assumption is believable and likely.

it's not unreasonable to think

Suggests an assumption is justifiable and understandable.

it would be logical to surmise

Replaces 'assume' with 'surmise', which means to infer something without strong evidence.

one might reasonably gather

Implies the assumption is derived from collected information.

FAQs

How can I use "fair to assume" in a sentence?

Use "fair to assume" when you want to indicate that something is likely true based on the available information. For example, "Given the weather forecast, it's fair to assume the game will be cancelled."

What are some alternatives to "fair to assume"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonable to infer", "logical to conclude", or "safe to say" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "fair to assume"?

It is appropriate to use "fair to assume" when you have enough information to make a reasonable judgment, but not enough to be completely certain. It suggests a logical inference rather than a wild guess.

Is "fair to assume" the same as "presume"?

While similar, "fair to assume" implies a logical basis for the assumption, whereas 'presume' can sometimes suggest an assumption made without much evidence. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but "fair to assume" emphasizes the reasoning behind the assumption.