fairly settled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly settled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that has been resolved to a reasonable extent, but may not be completely finalized. Example: "After several discussions, the terms of the agreement are fairly settled, and we can move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Why are we trying to unpick something that's fairly settled?

The Guardian - Business

Until the drug shortage, the routine for lethal injections had been a fairly settled process.

The New York Times

Both would hail the fairly settled front five that appeared to rediscover the knack of good scrummaging a year or two ago as a huge boon.

Independent

Eleanor is not concerned with telling her own tale; the snippets of information she lets fall push us gently towards the assumption of a fairly settled and uneventful life in which even major developments, such as widowhood, unfold relatively naturally and calmly.

The Guardian - Books

Even if you're fairly settled on your religious preferences and your desires for a church community, try exploring your options as a learning experience.

WikiHow

That is fairly settled law under the eighth amendment against cruel and unusual punishment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, whose office will work with judges to clear old low-level summons cases out of a local church during Father's Day weekend, said he welcomes any larger plan that "effectively and fairly" settles old cases.

The Guardian

With two of the shortlist fairly firmly settled in the US now – Jhumpa Lahiri and NoViolet Bulawayo – you have to ask how long the formal exclusion of American contenders from this prize can endure.

Independent

Kerry Emanuel, a professor of meteorology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pointed out that in general, hotter water would suggest stronger storms -- the science is fairly well settled on that score, he said.

The New York Times

In America the average family-home has doubled in size in the past half-century, from 1,000 square feet (93 square metres) in 1950 to 2,100 square feet in 2001.America's coastal areas are fairly densely settled, but families who cannot afford a spacious home with a garden in Connecticut or California can move somewhere cheaper.

The Economist

"Within a week we had settled fairly, justly and quickly".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly settled" to indicate a situation or plan that is reasonably but not definitively resolved. This suggests stability while acknowledging potential for minor changes.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly settled" when describing situations that are completely finalized or immutable. The phrase implies a degree of flexibility or potential adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly settled" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective 'settled'. It qualifies the degree to which something is resolved or stable, suggesting a state that is more than just 'settled' but not definitively so. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly settled" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that serves to indicate a state of reasonable resolution or stability. According to Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific publications. While the phrase implies a good level of agreement or finality, it also suggests there's room for minor adjustments or changes. When writing, it's best to use "fairly settled" to convey a sense of near-completion without implying absolute certainty and avoid using it when describing something that is definitively resolved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably stable

Focuses more on the stability aspect rather than the degree of settlement.

moderately resolved

Emphasizes the resolution aspect but suggests it's not fully complete.

largely determined

Highlights the determinacy of a situation to a considerable extent.

somewhat decided

Implies a decision has been made but with room for minor adjustments.

relatively firm

Stresses the firmness of a decision or arrangement, though not absolutely unchangeable.

substantially agreed upon

Indicates a significant level of agreement, with perhaps a few details remaining.

generally accepted

Focuses on the acceptance of something by a majority, rather than its fixed state.

mostly consistent

Emphasizes consistency, suggesting a pattern with only minor deviations.

considerably established

Highlights the extent to which something has been set up or proven.

appreciably steady

Indicates a noticeable level of steadiness or stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly settled" to describe a situation that is mostly resolved but may still have minor adjustments. For example, "The terms of the agreement are "fairly settled", but we're open to discussing a few minor details."

What's a good alternative to "fairly settled"?

Alternatives include "reasonably stable", "moderately resolved", or "largely determined", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "fairly settled", or should I use a different phrase?

Saying something is "fairly settled" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a state of reasonable resolution or stability. Other options exist, but this phrase is perfectly acceptable.

What does "fairly settled" mean in the context of legal matters?

In legal contexts, "fairly settled" might refer to a point of law that has been established by precedent, although there might still be room for interpretation or exceptions. It suggests a level of legal certainty without absolute finality.