fairly fond of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly fond of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a moderate level of affection or liking for someone or something. Example: "I am fairly fond of classical music, especially the works of Beethoven."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I don't have a motorcar, so I've got to know and be fairly fond of the buses.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Carter has described his childhood as "fairly normal", and was fond of both Little League Baseball and surfing; his surfing stance is goofy footed.

Wikipedia

I'm fond of pickles and thought I was fairly knowledgeable about them.

The New York Times - Arts

Jeb Bush won reëlection as governor fairly easily in 2002, but he is popular among a number of groups that aren't nearly as fond of his brother.

The New Yorker

Fond of housework.

The New Yorker

I'm fond of him.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm fond of them.

The New Yorker

Paraguayans are fond of sports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was fond of that.

The New York Times

He's fond of basically.

The New Yorker

Fuller was fond of neologisms.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly fond of" to express a moderate level of liking or affection without being overly enthusiastic. It's suitable when you want to convey a positive sentiment but not a strong emotional attachment.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly fond of" when you intend to express a deep or passionate affection. It can understate your true feelings if the context requires a stronger expression of liking. Consider stronger alternatives like "very fond of" or "deeply appreciate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly fond of" functions as a subject complement, describing the degree to which a subject possesses the quality of being fond. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a moderate liking. The provided examples demonstrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly fond of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a moderate degree of liking or affection. As Ludwig AI indicated, this phrase is considered correct in written English. While not as strong as "very fond of", it conveys a positive sentiment without being overly enthusiastic. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it offers a balanced and neutral way to express appreciation, making it suitable for various writing styles. Consider the context and intended emotional impact when using "fairly fond of" to ensure it accurately reflects your sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite fond of

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of fondness than "fairly fond of".

somewhat fond of

Suggests a slightly weaker degree of fondness than "fairly fond of".

moderately fond of

Replaces "fairly" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of fondness.

reasonably fond of

Similar to "fairly fond of", implying a moderate level of liking.

rather fond of

A more formal alternative, expressing a similar degree of fondness.

partially fond of

Suggests fondness for only certain aspects of something.

genuinely like

Expresses a sincere liking, although not necessarily deep affection.

appreciate to some extent

Focuses on appreciation rather than fondness, but conveys a similar sentiment.

have a liking for

A more general expression of liking something or someone.

mildly attracted to

Suggests a slight attraction or interest.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly fond of" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly fond of" to express a moderate level of liking. For example, "I am fairly fond of classical music" or "She is fairly fond of her new job".

What's a stronger alternative to "fairly fond of"?

A stronger alternative is "very fond of", which indicates a greater degree of affection or liking.

Is "fairly fond of" formal or informal?

"Fairly fond of" is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal side. For a more informal option, consider "quite like".

What's the difference between "fairly fond of" and "slightly fond of"?

"Fairly fond of" indicates a moderate level of liking, while "slightly fond of" suggests a weaker degree of affection. "Fairly" implies more liking than "slightly".