fair with

USAGE SUMMARY

"fair with" is not a grammatically correct phrase.
It is possible that "fair" and "with" could be used together in a sentence, but it would need to be in a specific context and structured differently. For example, "It is fair with me if you want to leave early," but this uses "fair" as an adjective meaning reasonable or just, rather than a stand-alone phrase. Correct examples using "fair" and "with" could include: - "She is fair with all of her students, always treating them equally." - "The judge was fair with the defendant, considering all of the evidence before making a decision." - "I try to be fair with my siblings when dividing up chores." In these examples, "fair" is used as an adjective, and "with" is used as a preposition to indicate how someone is treating or interacting with someone else.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Play fair with us.

The New York Times

He's fair with each guy".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were fair with me.

The New York Times - Sports

He wants to be fair with himself.

The New York Times

We are fair with each other.

The New York Times - Sports

"You try to be somewhat fair with what you're doing".

The New York Times - Sports

"Neither side is playing fair with the other," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

I hope to be fair with my players.

Independent

Come on banks, start being fair with savers.

Independent

We've got to play fair with the big louse.

The New Yorker

"These companies are not playing fair with us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "fair with" with the more grammatically sound "fair to". For example, instead of saying "He was fair with everyone", say "He was fair to everyone".

Common error

Avoid using "fair with" when intending to say "fair compared to". The phrase "fair with" often lacks a clear comparison point, leading to ambiguity. Instead, specify the basis of comparison: "This deal is fair compared to the previous one."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair with" functions as an adjectival phrase, where "fair" describes a quality of impartiality or justice, and "with" links this quality to a person or thing. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fair with" is frequently encountered across diverse sources like news articles, wikis, and even scientific publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended meaning revolves around expressing equitable and unbiased treatment. Despite its common usage, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives such as "fair to" or restructuring the sentence to enhance clarity. This approach ensures accuracy and professionalism, particularly in formal writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fair to

Direct replacement using a more standard preposition.

impartial towards

Replaces "fair" with a synonym and uses a suitable preposition.

equitable with

Substitutes "fair" with a synonym maintaining preposition.

just to

Replaces "fair" with a synonym and adjusts the preposition.

unbiased toward

Replaces "fair" with a synonym emphasizing lack of prejudice.

even-handed with

Synonymous replacement with a compound adjective.

treat fairly

Restructures the phrase to use "fairly" as an adverb.

act justly toward

Emphasizes the action of being fair and uses a more formal preposition.

be reasonable with

Shift in meaning focusing on being moderate and sensible.

considerate of

Focuses on thoughtfulness and empathy in dealing with someone.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "fair with"?

A better alternative is to use "fair to". This preposition aligns with standard English usage when describing equitable treatment.

Is "fair with" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "fair with" does not conform to standard grammatical conventions. It's generally advisable to use "fair to" for improved clarity and correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "fair with"?

Although common, it's best to avoid "fair with" in formal writing. In informal contexts, it might be understood, but "fair to" is always a safer and more accurate choice.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "fair with" for better clarity?

Instead of "He was fair with his employees", try "He treated his employees "fairly"", or "He was fair to his employees".