fairly insignificant

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly insignificant" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use it when describing things that are not particularly significant or important. For example, "The impact of the decision was fairly insignificant".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Until the nineteen-eighties, the difference between first class and coach was fairly insignificant.

The New Yorker

The two men were "fairly insignificant" regime figures, a US defence official said.

The Guardian

Early mammals also were present, though they were still fairly insignificant.

Britannica

Cambridge remained fairly insignificant until about 1502, when a professorship of divinity was founded the oldest in the university.

Britannica

Let's not forget that "Bullets Over Broadway," a fairly insignificant relic of his oeuvre, received seven nominations.

The New York Times

The possibility of hackers poking around in e-mail servers is probably fairly insignificant compared with more commonplace security risks: the people around you.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I don't see why the UK being this fairly small, relatively insignificant offshore island from mainland Europe be the one that has the nuclear weapons?

Vice

Before 1926, it had been a fairly new and insignificant nationalistic party: in 1926, its membership numbered about 2,000 and it had won only three seats in the parliamentary elections.

Wikipedia

However, after controlling for ethnicity, although still negative and fairly large, it becomes insignificant (p-value increases to 0.188).

IZA Journal of Migration

Ramirez's time here was fairly brief, but hardly insignificant.

Los Angeles Times

Although the results vary between positive and negative, statistically significant and insignificant, the studies do fairly consistently demonstrate that any effects of regulation are at most modest relative to the overall size of the labor market.

University of Pennsylvania

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly insignificant", consider the context and audience. While widely accepted, ensure that the level of formality aligns with your writing style. If you aim for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "relatively unimportant".

Common error

Avoid using "fairly insignificant" when something is truly crucial. This phrase should only apply when the impact or importance is genuinely minor, to prevent misleading your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly insignificant" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adverb modifying an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase describes the degree to which something lacks importance or consequence. It's used to qualify the adjective "insignificant".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly insignificant" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes something of minor importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to qualify the adjective "insignificant", and it serves to downplay the importance of a subject. Its usage spans diverse fields, but it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While authoritative sources frequently employ this phrase, understanding nuances and its alternative meanings can improve writing accuracy and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively unimportant

Emphasizes the lack of importance in comparison to something else.

somewhat trivial

Highlights the lack of seriousness or value.

moderately negligible

Focuses on the almost imperceptible nature of the subject.

not particularly meaningful

Stresses the absence of deeper significance.

rather inconsequential

Similar to insignificant, but may imply a slightly broader scope.

kind of minor

More informal and casual way of expressing insignificance.

hardly significant

Emphasizes the almost complete lack of importance.

scarcely relevant

Focuses on the lack of connection or pertinence.

barely noticeable

Highlights the subtle or faint quality of the subject.

of little consequence

Emphasizes that the subject's outcome or effect is minimal.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly insignificant" to describe something that has a small impact or is not very important. For example: "The cost increase was "fairly insignificant" compared to the overall budget".

What are some alternatives to "fairly insignificant"?

Alternatives include "relatively unimportant", "somewhat trivial", or "moderately negligible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fairly insignificant" the same as "very insignificant"?

No, "fairly insignificant" implies a lesser degree of insignificance than "very insignificant". "Fairly" suggests something is somewhat unimportant, while "very" suggests it is extremely unimportant.

When is it appropriate to use "fairly insignificant" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to downplay the importance of something without completely dismissing it. Use it when the thing you're describing has a minimal impact or effect. In contrast, use "insignificant" by itself if it's of no importance.