fairly so

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly so" is not correct in written English.
You could use the expression "fair enough" instead. For example: "I think that's a fair enough decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

And fairly so.

The Guardian - Music

"We expect firms to treat everybody fairly – so we are putting logbook lenders on notice.

The Guardian - Money

It is important that valuable treatment options are characterized fairly so patients can make informed treatment decisions.

The New York Times

Why go anywhere else, especially with a half-dozen or more Lambruschi available for less than $50? Orvieto, like Lambrusco, has been maligned, probably fairly so.

The New York Times - Food

Few African-Americans trust cops to enforce the law fairly, so many crimes are not reported, and police struggle to get witnesses to testify.

The Economist

Billy Bowden in the third umpire's chair has overruled the decision, and fairly so, there was no evidence of a nick there.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Murray has looked fairly composed so far.

The Guardian - Sport

Both are religious, and fairly conservatively so, although neither exploits his religious beliefs in the campaign.

The Economist

The public finances are fairly healthy, so, for now, that is the safest option.

The Economist

But racing has kept me sharp mentally and fairly much so physically.

The New York Times - Sports

He's also fairly surreal, so you can appreciate Izzard because of his improvisational skills".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "fairly so" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "fair enough" or "justifiably so" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume "fairly so" functions as a standard adverbial phrase. Instead, recognize its grammatical incorrectness and use alternatives that properly convey your intended meaning, such as "with good reason" or "deservedly so".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly so" aims to provide agreement or justification. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically questionable. The function is to express that something is reasonable or justified in a particular context, similar to saying "that's understandable".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fairly so" appears in various sources, it's crucial to understand that it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI recommends using alternatives such as "fair enough", "justifiably so", or "with good reason" to convey the intended meaning of agreement or justification. Despite its presence in news and media, it's best to avoid using "fairly so" in formal or professional writing to maintain credibility and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fair enough

Indicates acceptance or agreement with a statement or situation, often with a slight reservation.

justifiably so

Emphasizes that there is a valid reason or justification for the statement or action.

with good reason

Highlights that there are legitimate grounds for the belief or action.

understandably so

Suggests that the reaction or feeling is easy to comprehend given the circumstances.

deservedly so

Indicates that the outcome or result is well-earned or merited.

rightly so

Affirms that the action or decision was correct or just.

and rightly so

Similar to 'rightly so', but adds a bit more emphasis.

appropriately so

Highlights that the response or action was suitable for the situation.

justified in doing so

Emphasizes the validity or permissibility of taking a particular action.

reasonably so

Suggests that the belief or action is logical and based on sound judgment.

FAQs

Is "fairly so" grammatically correct?

No, "fairly so" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use alternatives like "fair enough" or "justifiably so".

What does "fairly so" mean?

While grammatically questionable, "fairly so" is used to express agreement or justification, similar to saying "that's reasonable" or "justifiably". However, clearer alternatives exist.

Are there situations where "fairly so" is acceptable?

Although some sources use "fairly so", it is typically discouraged in formal writing. Using it may be acceptable in informal conversation, but it's safer to choose a grammatically sound alternative.

Which is correct, "fairly so" or "fair enough"?

Fair enough is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase. "Fairly so" is generally considered incorrect.