fairly close

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase "fairly close" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is almost but not quite exact or accurate. Here are a few example sentences: 1. The store is fairly close to my house, just a few blocks away. 2. I think I did fairly close on the math test, but I might have missed one or two questions. 3. The painting is a fairly close representation of the original, but there are a few subtle differences. 4. We made a fairly close estimate of the cost, but we won't know the exact amount until we get the bill. 5. The two teams were fairly close in score throughout the entire game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fairly close.

The New York Times - Sports

I've got it fairly close.

Yale University

It's all fairly close to London, too.

The Guardian

Results from the two models were fairly close.

Desalination

He gave an answer which is fairly close.

Yale University

That's fairly close to what I had in mind.

Yale University

Three of them are fairly close to you".

The New York Times

12 of them are fairly close to you".

The New York Times

During the nighttime hpF2 is fairly close to hmF2.

Advances in Space Research

In theory, that sounds like it's fairly close.

The Washington Post

This recipe stays fairly close to classic lasagna flavors.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly close" to describe a distance, consider the audience and context; a more precise measurement might be necessary for technical or legal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly close" when you actually mean "very close" or "exactly the same". "Fairly close" implies some difference or separation still exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly close" functions as an adverbial modifier of an adjective. The adverb "fairly" modifies the adjective "close", indicating a degree of proximity or similarity. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to describe nearness in both physical and abstract senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

17%

Science

35%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly close" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a moderate degree of proximity or similarity. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as an adverb modifying an adjective, serving to express an approximation rather than exactness. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific reports. Though its a very used phrase, you should consider using more precise language in situations where accuracy is paramount, or pick alternative expressions depending on the context. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforce its reliability as a standard English phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably near

Replaces "close" with "near", maintaining the sense of proximity but changing the specific word choice.

pretty close

Uses "pretty" instead of "fairly", offering a more informal tone while retaining the meaning of near approximation.

quite near

Substitutes "fairly" with "quite", keeping the overall meaning of being relatively close.

comparatively near

Replaces fairly with comparatively which still indicates a certain degree or extent is being considered.

almost exact

Shifts from spatial proximity to accuracy, indicating something nearly precise.

substantially similar

Emphasizes a high degree of similarity rather than just proximity, suitable for comparing qualities or characteristics.

largely similar

Focuses on the similarity aspect, indicating that things are alike in most respects.

in the vicinity

Emphasizes spatial proximity, suggesting something is nearby.

in close proximity

Replaces "fairly" with "in", emphasizing how close something or someone is.

approximately the same

Shifts the focus to equivalence, suggesting a close match in value or amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly close" to describe physical proximity, similarity in characteristics, or nearness to a target number. For example, "The restaurant is "fairly close" to the hotel", or "Their estimates were "fairly close" to the actual cost".

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly close"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reasonably near", "pretty close", "nearly identical", or "substantially similar".

Is it appropriate to use "fairly close" in formal writing?

While "fairly close" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise language. Consider using terms like "approximately", "in the vicinity of", or quantifying the difference explicitly.

What does "fairly close" imply about the degree of proximity or similarity?

"Fairly close" suggests that something is not exactly the same or in the same location, but it is near enough to be considered related or comparable. It indicates a moderate level of proximity or similarity, leaving room for some degree of difference.