fairly equal

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly equal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express when two things are almost equal in measure, or when two things are somewhat equal in comparison. For example: "The two teams in the competition were fairly equal in terms of their skill level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senate contests are essentially media contests; challengers and incumbents end up being about equally well known and face each other on fairly equal footing.

Los Angeles Times

Daily experience confirmed the sense of a fairly equal society.

The New York Times - Magazine

After the first half hour I thought we were fairly equal.

The Guardian - Sport

The experimental results for constrained and unconstrained benchmark functions under fairly equal conditions failed to validate its performance supremacy.

Information Sciences

Nisipeanu was White in the first game and pressed slightly before agreeing a draw in a fairly equal ending.

The Guardian - Sport

If they are not treated fairly – equal pay for equal work, in this case – then they protest.

The Guardian - Books

Currently the traffic is fairly equal each way, with about 1,000 crossings a day, he said.

The Guardian - Money

Now Apple, whose iPad tablet is due in March, can compete on fairly equal footing with Amazon.

The New York Times - Tech

The other three have been on fairly equal ground in terms of viewership, but none could be qualified as hits.

The New York Times - Arts

The distribution of incomes is fairly equal, and there are few signs of extreme poverty and no discernible slum areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While Letters from Iceland was composed, according to Auden, about a third by MacNeice and two thirds by Auden, Moon Country sees a fairly equal division of labour.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly equal", ensure that the context clarifies the basis of comparison. Specify the attribute or characteristic being compared to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The two candidates were fairly equal in experience".

Common error

Avoid using "fairly equal" when the items being compared are significantly different. "Fairly" implies a close resemblance, so using it with substantial disparities can mislead readers. If differences are notable, opt for terms like "somewhat similar" or "not entirely different".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly equal" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a state of approximate equality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express that two things are nearly equal in measure or comparison. For instance, "The two teams in the competition were fairly equal in terms of their skill level."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly equal" is a versatile adjective phrase used to indicate that two or more things are nearly the same in some respect. Ludwig AI validates that it's a correct and usable expression in written English. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals frequent usage in scientific and news contexts, with neutral formality appropriate for various settings. When using "fairly equal", ensure the basis of comparison is clear, and avoid using it when differences are substantial. Consider using "approximately the same" or "roughly equivalent" as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Approximately the same

Emphasizes the nearness in quantity or quality.

Fairly matched

Highlights the balanced pairing or matching of two things.

Substantially equivalent

Indicates a high degree of similarity but not necessarily perfect equality.

Roughly equivalent

Suggests an estimated equality, allowing for some minor differences.

Reasonably balanced

Highlights the balance between two or more elements, suggesting they are acceptably equal.

Largely comparable

Stresses the comparability due to their significant similarities.

Comparatively similar

Focuses on the similarity when compared, implying a near-equal status.

In substantial parity

Indicates a state of being nearly equal, often in terms of status or level.

Moderately uniform

Implies a consistent level with slight variations.

Significantly alike

Focuses on the likeness and proximity in nature or properties.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly equal" to describe two or more things that are close to being the same in some aspect. For example, "The teams were fairly equal in skill", or "The costs are fairly equal across different providers".

What's a good alternative to "fairly equal"?

Depending on the context, you might use "approximately the same", "roughly equivalent", or "substantially equivalent".

Is "fairly equal" the same as "exactly equal"?

No, "fairly equal" indicates a near equality, whereas "exactly equal" means there is no difference at all. "Fairly" implies a small degree of difference is present, while "exactly" means there is no difference whatsoever.

Can I use "fairly equal" to describe distributions or ratios?

Yes, "fairly equal" can effectively describe distributions or ratios that are nearly balanced. For instance, you could say, "The gender ratio in the study was fairly equal", meaning there were approximately the same number of men and women participating.