fairly fair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly fair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is reasonably just or equitable, often in a context where fairness is being evaluated. Example: "The judge's decision was fairly fair, taking into account all the evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The head of the African Union mission to the elections, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, called the poll "fairly fair".

The Economist

Use of pesticides is limited, and workers must be paid fairly; Fair Trade also requires investments in community programs like child care.

The New York Times

Independents loyal to the king won most of the 110 seats in an expanded legislature; the Islamist opposition won about half the 30 seats that it contested.See article: Jordan's fairly fair electionJohn Wolf, America's special Middle East envoy, struggled to salvage the road map; Colin Powell, America's secretary of state, was due to join him.

The Economist

"I remember saying to the makeup man one day ― because it was like putting mud on my face, it was really dark and I'm a fairly fair Hispanic― and I said to the makeup man one day 'My God!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

R: That's fair, fair, fair, fair.

The New Yorker

But under American law, this is fairly straightforward, because the fair-market value of land is relatively easy to determine.

The New York Times

Fair or just fairly useless?

The Guardian

By Thursday, Mr. Johnson had sold pieces in fairly equal quantities at both fairs, he said, including a $6,500 Mies Brno chair to the Carnegie Museum adorned with Mr. Loughlin's standard iconography: a square-jawed man with a cigarette dangling from his lip, a Zippo lighter and a Chevrolet logo.

The New York Times

Released in Lebanon shortly before Christmas, it has gained a fairly positive reception at book fairs in Beirut and in some of the local Lebanese press – the most liberal in the Arab world – albeit often as an oddity or point of intrigue.

Vice

Released in Lebanon shortly before Christmas, it has gained a fairly positive reception at book fairs in Beirut and in some of the local Lebanese press the most liberal in the Arab world albeit often as an oddity or point of intrigue.

Vice

And a fairly-comfortable-to-be-fair two.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly fair" sparingly, as it can sound redundant. Consider whether a single "fair" or a more specific qualifier would be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly fair" in highly formal or academic writing where precision is crucial. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to convey nuances of fairness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly fair" functions as an adjectival phrase used to modify a noun, indicating a moderate degree of fairness. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something as reasonably just. The examples show its use in describing election results and personal assessments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly fair" is a grammatically correct but somewhat redundant adjectival phrase used to express a moderate degree of fairness. As Ludwig AI suggests, it functions to convey that something is reasonably just. While acceptable, it is uncommon and most frequently found in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider using alternative phrases like "pretty fair" or "reasonably fair" to avoid repetition and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty fair

Replaces "fairly" with "pretty", indicating a similar level of approximation.

quite fair

Substitutes "fairly" with "quite", conveying a similar degree of fairness.

reasonably fair

Uses "reasonably" instead of "fairly", suggesting a logical or justifiable level of fairness.

somewhat fair

Employs "somewhat" as a substitute for "fairly", indicating a moderate degree of fairness.

relatively fair

Replaces "fairly" with "relatively", suggesting a comparison to another standard of fairness.

moderately fair

Uses "moderately" in place of "fairly", indicating a medium level of fairness.

comparatively fair

Substitutes "fairly" with "comparatively", suggesting a contrast or comparison in fairness.

substantially fair

Uses "substantially" to emphasize the degree of fairness, indicating a considerable amount.

genuinely fair

Replaces "fairly" with "genuinely", emphasizing the authenticity of the fairness.

largely fair

Substitutes "fairly" with "largely", suggesting fairness in most aspects but not necessarily completely.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "fairly fair" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly fair" to describe something that is reasonably just or equitable. For example: "The assessment of the situation was "fairly fair", considering all aspects of the issue".

What are some alternatives to saying "fairly fair"?

Alternatives include "pretty fair", "quite fair", or "reasonably fair". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fairly fair" grammatically correct?

Yes, "fairly fair" is grammatically correct, although it might sound somewhat repetitive. Its usage is mainly for emphasis, but synonyms are advised if you want to reduce repetition.

When is it appropriate to use "fairly fair" instead of just "fair"?

Use "fairly fair" if you want to emphasize a certain level of justice or equity, though the redundancy may make your writing sound less professional. Consider using "pretty fair" or "quite fair" instead.