fairly reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is somewhat reasonable or acceptable, but may not be perfectly so. For example, "The terms of the agreement were fairly reasonable, so we decided to accept them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

House prices Fairly reasonable.

The Guardian

I can keep a fairly reasonable attitude.

The New Yorker

"We think we did a fairly reasonable job," he said.

The New York Times

"But it should be fairly reasonable conditions for going out.

Independent

Her services are fairly reasonable as fancy lice treatments go.

The New York Times

Prices for family-run accommodation is fairly reasonable.

Independent

"At Buckingham Palace we have a fairly reasonable collection," he said.

The New York Times

"We're getting fairly reasonable, if cautious, answers," said David Gibson, one of three partners.

The New York Times

The monitor's price can be fairly reasonable, $10 to $80 depending on the model.

The New York Times - Health

I looked at the uniform requirements for the school in question and they seem fairly reasonable.

The Guardian

The prices, Mr. Schrader said, were fairly reasonable: about $150 a day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly reasonable", consider whether a more precise adjective would better convey your intended meaning. Is it 'affordable', 'logical', or 'acceptable'?

Common error

Avoid using "fairly reasonable" when you actually mean 'very reasonable' or 'perfectly reasonable'. "Fairly" implies a degree of reservation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly reasonable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a moderate level of acceptability or logical soundness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly reasonable" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a moderate level of acceptability or justification. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news articles and scientific publications, indicating its versatility across different registers. While "fairly reasonable" is widely accepted, it's important to consider whether a more precise term might better convey the intended meaning and avoid overstating a situation. Alternatives include "moderately acceptable" or "reasonably acceptable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably acceptable

Reorders the words while retaining the same core meaning and level of intensity.

moderately acceptable

Indicates a similar level of acceptability, but emphasizes the 'acceptability' aspect more directly.

quite sensible

Emphasizes the 'sensible' or logical aspect of the situation.

somewhat justified

Shifts the focus to justification rather than general reasonableness.

comparatively fair

Highlights the aspect of fairness in relation to something else.

relatively sound

Suggests a solid basis or foundation, implying a degree of reasonableness.

adequately logical

Focuses on the logical aspect, suggesting it meets a certain minimum requirement.

passably rational

Indicates it is rational enough, although not necessarily ideal.

tolerably justifiable

Highlights the capacity to be justified to a tolerable degree.

acceptably valid

Emphasizes the validity, suggesting it's acceptable within certain parameters.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly reasonable" to describe something that is acceptable but not necessarily outstanding. For example, "The price for the service was "fairly reasonable" considering the quality of work."

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

"Fairly reasonable" implies a moderate level of acceptability, while "very reasonable" suggests a higher degree of acceptance or satisfaction. "Fairly" indicates a slight reservation, while "very" expresses stronger approval.

What are some alternatives to "fairly reasonable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "moderately acceptable", "reasonably acceptable", or "somewhat justified".

Is "fairly reasonable" formal or informal?

"Fairly reasonable" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using a more precise term that eliminates any ambiguity.