fairly alike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly alike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things are similar to a moderate extent. Example: "The two paintings are fairly alike in style, though one uses brighter colors than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both born in Brooklyn in the 1940s, both Jewish, both with a shock of balding white hair, the two men look fairly alike and their staccato, pugnacious vocal styles are almost indistinguishable, as David proved in that first SNL sketch: "Ehh … Not a fan of the banks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We wanted a real politician," said Josh Safdie, one of Museum's founders, who contacted several local officials before hiring Guliani, a fairly convincing look-alike.

The New York Times

Also here is an extensive, fairly credible look-alike, the 2008 "New York Times —Special Edition," orchestrated by Steve Lambert and Andy Bichlbaum of the Yes Men.

The New York Times - Arts

Engage with anxieties constructively about how we make migration work fairly, for citizens and migrants alike, and there is a pro-migrant majority to be unlocked.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the international level, that means promoting capital controls (something the IMF now seems ready to do), implementing a financial transaction tax (something the EU is now actively pursuing), and designing a sovereign debt workout mechanism that deals fairly with lenders and borrowers alike (a long-standing Unctad proposal).

The Guardian

But an overwhelming majority of senators and House members favor the legislation, most Americans favor reform and, despite what the new president says, this bill treats all donors -- labor unions and corporations alike -- equally and fairly.

The New York Times

"We all looked a lot alike and came from fairly similar economic backgrounds".

The New Yorker

They chose civil war.I've heard this opinion expressed fairly often, from Democrats and Republicans alike.

The Economist

Considering the gloomy predictions of the chaos that might occur as the new security measures took effect, things went fairly smoothly for amateurs and pros alike Friday at O'Hare, the nation's busiest airport.

The New York Times

The Hairy Woodpecker is similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker, though it has a much longer beak and is fairly shy in comparison with its look-alike.

WikiHow

Further, because humans are genetically speaking a fairly homogeneous species, people the world over are more alike in deep ways that matter than may appear from superficial differences of culture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly alike" to describe a moderate level of similarity between two or more things. It suggests they share noticeable similarities without being identical.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly alike" when the items being compared are nearly identical. In such cases, opt for stronger terms like "identical" or "the same".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly alike" functions as an adjective phrase and an adverbial modifier, used to qualify the degree to which two or more things resemble each other. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is valid and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly alike" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that expresses a moderate level of similarity. According to Ludwig, it's appropriate for describing things that share noticeable characteristics without being identical. While "fairly alike" is versatile, alternatives like "quite similar", "somewhat similar", and "moderately similar" can provide more nuanced descriptions. Remember to avoid using "fairly alike" when describing nearly identical items. As a final consideration, Ludwig also suggests to prevent overstating the similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite similar

Indicates a moderate degree of similarity, similar to "fairly alike".

somewhat similar

Implies a degree of similarity that is less strong than "fairly alike".

rather alike

Similar in meaning and intensity to "fairly alike".

moderately similar

Emphasizes the moderate level of similarity.

reasonably similar

Suggests the similarity is within acceptable limits.

kind of alike

Informal way to express similarity, less precise than "fairly alike".

partially resemble

Focuses on the partial aspect of the resemblance.

look somewhat the same

Highlights visual similarity to a moderate degree.

bear some resemblance

Indicates a noticeable, but not necessarily strong, similarity.

share similarities

Highlights the presence of common features without specifying the degree.

FAQs

What does "fairly alike" mean?

The phrase "fairly alike" means that two or more things have a noticeable degree of similarity without being completely identical. They share some characteristics or features in common.

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

You can use "fairly alike" to compare things that share some similarities. For example: "The two designs are fairly alike, but there are some key differences".

What are some alternatives to "fairly alike"?

Alternatives to "fairly alike" include "quite similar", "somewhat similar", or "moderately similar". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of similarity you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fairly alike"?

Yes, "fairly alike" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a moderate level of similarity. It's found in many reputable sources.