fairly clean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly clean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively clean, but not perfectly so, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The kitchen was fairly clean, with only a few dishes left in the sink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

2. South Beach is fairly clean.

The New York Times

The rest is fairly clean but uninspiring.

The Guardian - Money

Not long ago, estrangements could mean a fairly clean break.

The New York Times

They say it was a fairly clean business.

The New Yorker

At the other end of the spectrum, financial services and retailing are fairly clean.

The Economist

Some historians discount these reports as scattered abuses in a fairly clean election.

The Economist

My page one is, as I am fully aware, fairly clean.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite some corruption, particularly in local government, Spanish politics is generally fairly clean.

The Economist

They are fairly clean, have good physiques, and make for good companions.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm fairly clean-cut off the field.

The New York Times - Sports

It's also beautiful and fairly clean-feeling.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly clean" to indicate a level of cleanliness that is above average but not perfect. For example, "The office space was fairly clean, considering it hadn't been professionally cleaned in weeks."

Common error

Avoid using "fairly clean" when something is exceptionally clean. It's more appropriate to say "very clean" or "spotless" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly clean" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "fairly" modifies the adjective "clean". It is used to indicate a level of cleanliness that is more than average but not perfectly spotless. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

23%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly clean" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a moderate level of cleanliness. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usability. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and general discussions, indicating a neutral register. While alternatives like "somewhat clean" or "reasonably clean" exist, "fairly clean" effectively conveys a level of cleanliness that is above average but not spotless. Remember to avoid using it when describing something exceptionally clean; opt for stronger terms like "very clean" or "spotless" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat clean

Indicates a slightly lower degree of cleanliness compared to "fairly clean".

reasonably clean

Suggests a level of cleanliness that meets expectations or standards, similar to "fairly clean".

moderately clean

Emphasizes the moderate aspect of cleanliness, akin to "fairly clean".

pretty clean

A more informal way of saying "fairly clean", implying a similar level of cleanliness.

relatively clean

Highlights that the cleanliness is in relation to something else, similar to the nuance of "fairly clean".

quite clean

A straightforward synonym, directly indicating an adequate degree of cleanliness.

acceptably clean

Highlights that cleanliness is adequate or good enough.

adequately clean

Clean enough for a specific purpose.

mostly clean

Indicates the majority is clean, but perhaps with a few minor imperfections.

tolerably clean

Cleanliness is bearable or acceptable.

FAQs

What does "fairly clean" mean?

The phrase "fairly clean" indicates that something is reasonably clean, but not perfectly so. It implies a level of cleanliness that is above average but not spotless.

What can I say instead of "fairly clean"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat clean", "reasonably clean", or "moderately clean" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fairly clean"?

Yes, the phrase "fairly clean" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a moderate level of cleanliness. According to Ludwig AI, this is a usable phrase.

What is the difference between "fairly clean" and "very clean"?

"Fairly clean" suggests a level of cleanliness that is above average but not perfect, while "very clean" implies a higher degree of cleanliness, close to being spotless.