fairly clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly clearly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to specify that something is not entirely clear, but it is at least somewhat understandable. For example: "The instructions were fairly clearly written, so I was able to complete the task without too much difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Stock prices fairly clearly exhibit some nonrandom behavior.

The New York Times

"There are some aspects of human behavior that are fairly clearly evolutionary.

The New York Times - Books

Most of the current population of Melbourne appeal, but it fairly clearly pitched outside leg.

The Guardian - Sport

Two weeks ago, Mr. Schrempp hinted fairly clearly about the impact of all this.

The New York Times

Despite excited predictions of a dangerous scramble for Arctic resources, the region's sovereignty is fairly clearly defined.

The Economist

This large carnivore was named in 1986 and was fairly clearly part of the group that contains the famous Spinosaurus.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

As Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican, pointed out, "The Constitution, fairly read, clearly calls for a majority vote on judicial nominees.

The New Yorker

Amy did not defend Mourdock's position on abortion (she is pro-choice) but she explained his view fairly and clearly.

The New York Times

Not so for the signatories of this document: these labels have vowed to "share the benefits of dealing with digital services fairly and clearly with artists".

The Guardian - Music

In fact, the immigration judges, the Board of Immigration Appeals' members and staff members at the Executive Office for Immigration Review are dedicated professionals who strive to interpret immigration laws fairly and clearly and to provide due process to all who appear in our tribunals.

The New York Times

Clear and fair legal rules, clearly and fairly applied, consistently top potential investors' wish-lists.Yet even if all goes smoothly, the new system for choosing judges is yet another sign of an over-concentration of power in the hands of Congress.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly clearly" to convey that something is evident but not definitively proven or universally accepted. It's useful when presenting an observation or conclusion that is based on reasonable inference rather than absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly clearly" when the situation is unambiguously clear or definitively proven. Overusing the phrase in such contexts dilutes its meaning and undermines the strength of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly clearly" functions as an adverbial modifier, enhancing the verb or clause it modifies by specifying the degree or manner in which something is clear. Ludwig AI affirms its usability. As shown by Ludwig examples, it qualifies how evident or understandable something is without being absolutely definitive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly clearly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a qualified degree of clarity or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a perfectly usable English phrase. Its frequency is 'common', appearing most often in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase serves to communicate that something is reasonably understandable, but not definitively proven, allowing for nuance in expression. When writing, use "fairly clearly" to express considered and reasoned clarity, while avoiding its overuse in situations that are, in fact, absolutely evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably clearly

Expresses a similar level of clarity, but suggests a slightly more objective assessment.

pretty clearly

A more informal alternative, indicating a similar degree of obviousness.

quite obviously

Emphasizes the obvious nature of something, implying a slightly stronger degree of clarity.

readily apparent

Highlights ease of perception or understanding, focusing on the accessibility of the information.

somewhat obviously

Indicates a degree of obviousness, though perhaps not immediately or universally.

easily understood

Focuses on the ease with which something can be grasped or comprehended.

relatively obvious

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes that the obviousness is relative to some context or comparison.

plainly evident

Suggests a strong level of clarity and visibility, making something hard to miss.

distinctly visible

Focuses on the visual aspect of clarity, highlighting how clearly something can be seen.

noticeably clear

Emphasizes that the clarity is significant enough to be easily noticed.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly clearly" to indicate something is understood or visible without being entirely obvious. For instance, "The instructions were "fairly clearly" written, but I still needed some help".

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly clearly"?

Consider alternatives like "reasonably clearly", "pretty clearly", or "somewhat obviously" to express a similar level of discernible clarity, depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "fairly clearly" or "very clearly"?

It depends on the context. "Very clearly" suggests a higher degree of clarity, while ""fairly clearly"" indicates something is apparent but not definitively obvious. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of clarity you want to convey.

In what situations is "fairly clearly" most appropriate?

"Fairly clearly" is appropriate when something is evident based on available information, but there may be room for interpretation or differing perspectives. It avoids overstating certainty while still conveying a sense of understanding.