fairly slim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly slim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat thin or narrow, often in a comparative context. Example: "The chances of winning the lottery are fairly slim, but it's still worth a shot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

They may, in fact, be fairly slim.

The New York Times

The available technology jobs were fairly slim.

The New York Times

"Everything we make is fairly slim," he said.

The New Yorker

The chances of becoming the next uber-wealthy Richard Branson are fairly slim.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you want to eat out locally, the options are fairly slim but expanding.

The New York Times

The chances of them coming back with "Actually, on reflection, probably best to do nothing," seem fairly slim.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Pretty slim.

HuffPost

The result — a slim, fairly quiet machine — makes for a good GPS and media device.

TechCrunch

Andre was a very slim and fairly straightforwardly good-looking black man; his appearance, today, seemed like a reproach.

The New Yorker

Churn has remained fairly constant and rather slim at around 2% a year.

Forbes

The waist, hips, shoulders, and bust are usually slim and fairly equal in size.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts involving probability or chances, use "fairly slim" to express a moderate level of unlikelihood or a reduced possibility of something occurring.

Common error

While "fairly slim" is widely accepted, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "moderately slight" or "somewhat unlikely" to enhance the tone and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly slim" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverb-adjective combination. The adverb "fairly" modifies the adjective "slim", indicating a moderate degree of thinness, unlikelihood, or scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly slim" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that denotes a moderate degree of thinness, unlikelihood, or scarcity. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverb-adjective combination. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, overuse should be avoided in academic or formal writing where alternatives may be preferable. It appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", showcasing its versatility across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite thin

Substitutes "fairly" with "quite", indicating a similar degree of slightness or narrowness.

relatively narrow

Replaces "slim" with "narrow", focusing on physical dimension and substituting "fairly" with "relatively".

moderately slight

Uses "slight" instead of "slim", emphasizing a small degree or extent. "Moderately" replaces "fairly".

somewhat unlikely

Shifts the meaning to probability, replacing "slim" with "unlikely" and "fairly" with "somewhat".

reasonably slender

Employs "slender" as a synonym for "slim", suggesting a graceful thinness. "Reasonably" replaces "fairly".

rather limited

Focuses on quantity or scope, using "limited" instead of "slim". "Rather" substitutes "fairly".

pretty meager

Emphasizes inadequacy or lack, using "meager" instead of "slim" and replacing "fairly" with "pretty".

noticeably scant

Highlights a deficiency or sparseness, using "scant" instead of "slim". "Noticeably" replaces "fairly".

appreciably reduced

Focuses on the state of being diminished. This phrase is more suitable in contexts where reduction is key.

markedly less

Highlights a state of being smaller in quantity, degree, or extent. Replaces both words of the query.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly slim" to describe chances, sizes or margins. For example: "The chances of winning the lottery are "fairly slim"" or "The device has a "fairly slim" design."

What are some alternatives to "fairly slim"?

Some alternatives to "fairly slim" include "quite thin", "relatively narrow", or "somewhat unlikely", depending on the context.

Is "fairly slim" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, "fairly slim" may be considered less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider stronger, more precise alternatives such as "moderately slight" or "appreciably reduced".

Which is correct, "fairly slim" or "pretty slim"?

"Fairly slim" and "pretty slim" are both grammatically correct and have similar meanings, but "fairly slim" is generally perceived as slightly more formal. "Pretty slim" may be more common in informal conversation.