fairly common

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly common" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is widespread or seen frequently but not as frequently as something that is very common, for example: "Smartphones are fairly common these days, but tablets are even more popular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The injury is fairly common.

The New York Times - Sports

Muad's experience is fairly common.

Independent

"It's a fairly common phenomenon".

The New York Times - Science

It's a fairly common thing.

The New Yorker

Ovarian cancer is fairly common.

The New York Times

And they are fairly common.

The New York Times

My name is fairly common.

The Guardian - Opinion

Political correctness is a fairly common target.

The New Yorker

Cordless microphones are fairly common now.

The New Yorker

This model is fairly common in Japan.

The Economist

That makes water-repellent materials fairly common.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly common" to describe something that is more frequent than 'uncommon' but less so than 'very common'. It's best used when you want to indicate a moderate level of prevalence without exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly common" when describing something that is exceptionally rare or extremely widespread. It's a middle-ground term, so make sure it accurately reflects the frequency of what you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly common" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun. Ludwig AI shows it is used to describe the degree to which something is prevalent or frequent. The word "fairly" serves as an adverb that modifies the adjective "common", indicating a moderate level of occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly common" is a useful and versatile way to indicate that something occurs with moderate frequency. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the described phenomenon aligns with a middle-ground frequency, being neither rare nor overwhelmingly prevalent. For alternatives, consider "moderately common", "reasonably common", or "somewhat common", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately common

Indicates a similar level of frequency, but with a slightly more formal tone.

reasonably common

Suggests that something is common to an extent that is expected or acceptable.

quite common

Implies a slightly higher degree of frequency than "fairly common".

somewhat common

Highlights a slightly lower degree of frequency, suggesting it's common to some extent.

relatively common

Similar to "fairly common", emphasizing the frequency in relation to something else.

not unusual

Emphasizes that the occurrence is within the realm of what is expected or typical.

frequently encountered

Focuses on the act of encountering something often, rather than its overall prevalence.

often observed

Similar to frequently encountered, focusing on observation.

not rare

Directly states that something is not rare, implying it has some degree of commonality.

occurs with some regularity

Highlights the consistent occurrence of something, suggesting a predictable pattern.

FAQs

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

Use "fairly common" to indicate that something occurs or exists with moderate frequency. For example, "Headaches are "fairly common" during allergy season".

What are some alternatives to "fairly common"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "moderately common", "reasonably common", or "somewhat common" to express a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "fairly common" and "very common"?

"Fairly common" indicates a moderate level of frequency, while "very common" suggests a high degree of prevalence. Use "fairly common" when something is more frequent than uncommon but not overwhelmingly widespread.

When is it appropriate to use "fairly common" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "fairly common" when you want to convey that something occurs or exists more often than not, but is not ubiquitous. It's a useful phrase for providing context without overstating prevalence.