fairly low

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly low" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a quantity, typically one that is lower than average or expectations. For example, "The sales figures for this quarter were fairly low compared to last year's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Expectations were fairly low.

The Economist

My grades were fairly low.

The New Yorker

Accident rates have remained fairly low.

The New York Times

So the stakes were fairly low.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And the payoff would be fairly low".

The New York Times

Overall mortgage debt is still fairly low.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

I'm fairly low-maintenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The actual event was fairly low-key.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a fairly low-budget operation.

The New Yorker

A lot of fairly low-quality nonsense.

The Guardian - Sport

This is fairly low-level stuff, though.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly low" to describe numerical data, provide context by comparing it to a relevant benchmark or previous value. For example, "The unemployment rate is fairly low compared to the national average."

Common error

Avoid using "fairly low" without any point of reference. Instead of saying "The price is fairly low", specify what it's low compared to, such as "The price is fairly low compared to other luxury brands."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly low" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "fairly" modifies the adjective "low", indicating a degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase. It commonly describes a quantity that is lower than average or expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly low" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is moderately below average or expected. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using "fairly low", it's important to provide context and avoid vagueness by specifying what is being compared. While acceptable in most situations, formal writing may sometimes benefit from more precise alternatives. Common usage involves describing quantities, levels, or risks, as illustrated by the numerous examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly below average

More explicitly states that the level is less than the norm.

relatively modest

Substitutes "fairly" with "relatively" and "low" with "modest", indicating a limited or unassuming amount.

on the lower side

Offers a more colloquial way of saying something is "low", implying a range or spectrum.

moderately small

Replaces "low" with "small" to emphasize quantity while retaining the sense of being somewhat below average.

rather limited

Substitutes "low" with "limited", which focuses on the constrained or restricted nature of something.

somewhat reduced

Uses "reduced" instead of "low" to suggest a decrease or lessening of something.

not particularly high

Uses a double negative to express that something is "low" without directly stating it, adding a touch of nuance.

comparatively slight

Replaces "fairly" with "comparatively" and "low" with "slight", indicating a small degree of difference.

fairly unsubstantial

Uses "unsubstantial" to convey that something lacks significance or size, similar to being "low".

reasonably minimal

Emphasizes the idea of being "low" by using "minimal" to highlight that the quantity is at or near the lowest possible level.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly low" to describe something that is below average or expected. For example, "The attendance at the meeting was fairly low", or "The risk of complications is fairly low".

What are some alternatives to using "fairly low"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "relatively modest", "somewhat reduced", or "slightly below average".

Is it always appropriate to use "fairly low" in formal writing?

While "fairly low" is generally acceptable, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more precise or formal alternative like "comparatively slight" or "moderately small" might be more suitable.

What does "fairly" modify in the phrase "fairly low"?

In the phrase "fairly low", "fairly" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "low", indicating the degree to which something is low. It suggests a moderate or reasonable level of being low without being extremely low.