fairly fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fairly fast' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe, for example, the speed at which someone completes a task. For example: "He solved the problem fairly fast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The result is a "fairly fast surface".

The Economist

This meant that the interrupt had to be fairly fast.

Cornell University

Of course, I was shot down fairly fast.

The New York Times

The automotive industry should recover fairly fast, too.

The Economist

The motors move fast and are able to keep up with a fairly fast moving object.

Cornell University

And you actually need fairly fast computers and computers with storage.

Cornell University

The execution of our program was fairly fast with a few minor exceptions.

Cornell University

You are selling many food items, so I would expect a fairly fast turnover.

The New York Times

Though going fairly fast, he appeared to look much the same.

The New Yorker

A fairly fast recovery to a superconducting state after a fault is also clarified.

Cryogenics

There's good reason for weather.com's popularity: the site is comprehensive, easy to use and fairly fast.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: In technical or scientific writing, be precise with numerical values. Use "fairly fast" when a specific measurement is not available or necessary.

Common error

While "fairly fast" provides a general sense of speed, it lacks precision. If possible, quantify the speed with metrics to provide clearer information. Replace "fairly fast" with specific measurements (e.g., seconds, milliseconds, km/h).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly fast" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the degree or extent to which something is fast. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing speeds of processes, objects, or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

18%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly fast" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is moderately quick. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and prevalence across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While versatile, remember to use precise measurements when specificity is required to avoid ambiguity. Consider using synonyms like "moderately quick" or "reasonably fast" to add nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately quick

Replaces "fast" with "quick" and "fairly" with "moderately", indicating a slight shift in intensity.

reasonably fast

Substitutes "fairly" with "reasonably", suggesting a similar degree of speed that is justifiable or acceptable.

pretty fast

Replaces "fairly" with "pretty", a more informal substitute that retains a similar meaning.

somewhat rapid

Uses "rapid" instead of "fast" and "somewhat" in place of "fairly", softening the expression of speed.

relatively speedy

Replaces "fast" with "speedy" and "fairly" with "relatively", indicating a comparison to another speed.

quite swift

Uses "swift" for "fast" and "quite" for "fairly", adding a nuance of elegance or efficiency.

decently fast

Substitutes "fairly" with "decently", suggesting the speed is of a good standard.

passably quick

Substitutes "fairly" with "passably", suggesting the speed is just adequate or sufficient.

noticeably quick

Substitutes "fairly" with "noticeably", highlighting that the speed is easily observed.

appreciably fast

Uses "appreciably" in place of "fairly", indicating the speed is significant or worth noting.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly fast" to describe the speed of an action or process that is above average but not extremely quick. For example: "The application processed the data "fairly fast"".

What are some alternatives to "fairly fast"?

Alternatives include "moderately quick", "reasonably fast", or "somewhat rapid" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "fairly fast" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, in academic writing, consider using more precise language when possible. If a specific measurement is unavailable, "fairly fast" can be used, but strive for quantifiable data when appropriate.

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

"Fairly fast" indicates a speed that is above average but not exceptional, whereas "very fast" implies a significantly higher speed. The choice depends on the degree of speed you want to convey.