fairly concrete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly concrete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat specific or definite, but not entirely so. Example: "The proposal was fairly concrete, outlining the main objectives and strategies, but it still needed more detailed information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Most people will expect the combined efforts of the CIA, Mossad, British intelligence and others to have come up with something fairly concrete after all these years.

The Economist

They all say they are each other's first and best critic, and are able, in general, to detect in a fairly concrete way the effect that they have had on each other's work.

The Guardian - Books

That is a fairly concrete idea for such an abstract work, but the contrasts and interplay among sustained tones, pizzicatos and trills, silences, pianissimos and fortissimos (all musical depictions of size) made the work seem akin to Cubism in the visual arts.

The New York Times - Arts

Ries offers fairly concrete suggestions regarding how to implement both, too.

TechCrunch

And unless a fairly concrete account of the conditions under which the presumption is not defeated is provided, it is hard to know what the practical implications of this qualified Ascriptivist view are.

SEP

These two rumors are fairly concrete – I'd give the Tapplet a 75% chance of happening and a Dell MID about 80% – but there's a big problem: people don't like MIDs.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The following guidelines may be helpful in deciding what topics you should address: Pre-schoolers require fairly simple, concrete ideas.

WikiHow

This will enable you to "chute" the concrete fairly long distances, and make leveling the surface somewhat easier.

WikiHow

Radio waves can penetrate nonconducting materials such as wood, bricks, and concrete fairly well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The business rules that guided the VoIP decisions, based on factors such as roles and approval processes within each organization, were fairly simple and concrete.

Harvard Business Review

"Greenpeace has handled it fairly well, by taking concrete steps," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly concrete" when you want to indicate that something is reasonably specific or definite, but not entirely so. It suggests a level of clarity that is beyond vague but short of fully detailed.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly concrete" when the situation demands absolute precision or complete detail. Using it in contexts requiring certainty can dilute the message and introduce unwanted ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly concrete" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to indicate a degree of definiteness or specificity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and usable. It suggests that something is more than just an idea but may not be fully fleshed out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly concrete" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that is reasonably specific or definite, but not entirely so. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific writing, it maintains a neutral register that makes it appropriate for a range of communication scenarios. When using "fairly concrete", remember that while the phrase is versatile, the best practice is to only use it in situations where some clarification or refinement may be necessary. Alternatives such as "reasonably specific" or "moderately detailed" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly well-defined

Emphasizes the clarity and precision with which something is described or established.

reasonably specific

Replaces 'concrete' with 'specific', implying a similar level of clarity but with a slightly different nuance.

reasonably clear

Focuses on the comprehensibility and lack of ambiguity.

moderately detailed

Focuses on the level of detail provided, suggesting a good but not complete elaboration.

somewhat precise

Highlights the accuracy and exactness of the information or plan.

somewhat defined

Highlights the degree to which something is clearly outlined or delineated.

quite distinct

Emphasizes that something has clear features or characteristics.

relatively tangible

Shifts the focus to the tangibility or real-world applicability of the concept.

moderately firm

Indicates that the concept or plan has a certain amount of stability and is not entirely tentative.

partially solidified

Suggests that an idea or plan has moved beyond the abstract stage but isn't fully finalized.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly concrete" to describe plans, ideas, or proposals that are reasonably well-defined but might still need some refinement. For example, "The proposal was "fairly concrete", outlining the main objectives, but it still needed more detailed information."

What are some alternatives to "fairly concrete"?

Alternatives include "reasonably specific", "moderately detailed", or "somewhat defined", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "fairly concrete" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to indicate a moderate level of definiteness without implying absolute certainty. It is suitable for professional reports, academic papers, and business communications.

What's the difference between "fairly concrete" and "very concrete"?

"Fairly concrete" suggests a partial or moderate level of detail and clarity, while "very concrete" implies a high level of detail and clarity. Use "fairly concrete" when something is reasonably well-defined but still needs some development, and use "very concrete" when something is extremely detailed and well-defined.