fairly stable

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly stable" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is moderately or reasonably stable, or not likely to change or fluctuate drastically. Example: Despite the recent market fluctuations, the company's revenue has remained fairly stable over the past few years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My patient is fairly stable.

The Guardian

That's a fairly stable environment.

Yale University

Salary increases are also fairly stable.

The Washington Post

Room rates in Beijing have remained fairly stable as well.

The New York Times - Travel

This document is a typewritten original on fairly stable paper.

Cornell University

Economic measures present a fairly stable post-Brexit Britain.

The Guardian

Sometimes an intermediate can be a fairly stable substance.

Britannica

The trendline further back is also fairly stable.

The Washington Post

Since then, a fairly stable two-thirds have done so.

The Economist

By contrast, health care spending remains fairly stable over time.

The New York Times

Preferences appeared to be fairly stable over time.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends, use "fairly stable" to indicate a period where there are minor fluctuations but no major changes. For instance, "Despite some market volatility, interest rates have remained fairly stable this quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "fairly stable" when there are significant fluctuations or changes. Using stronger terms like "stable" or "constant" might be inaccurate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly stable" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate a moderate degree of stability. This suggests that while some variation may exist, the overall state remains consistent. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

16%

HuffPost

7%

Los Angeles Times

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fairly stable" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is moderately stable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It implies consistency with minor fluctuations, making it versatile for various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and general discussions. While alternatives like "relatively stable" and "moderately stable" exist, "fairly stable" provides a balanced and widely understood descriptor. Usage guidelines suggest avoiding it when significant changes occur and being mindful of the register, although its neutral tone makes it broadly applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Relatively stable

Emphasizes stability in comparison to something else.

Moderately stable

Highlights the degree of stability as being moderate.

Fairly constant

Highlights the absence of significant change or variation.

Reasonably constant

Focuses on the consistency and lack of significant change.

Reasonably steady

Implies a state of calmness and a lack of disruptive changes.

Somewhat consistent

Suggests a partial or limited degree of consistency.

Generally consistent

Indicates consistency in most cases, but allows for occasional exceptions.

Largely unchanged

Highlights the lack of significant alteration over time.

Mostly consistent

Similar to generally consistent, but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

Comparatively steady

Highlights a consistent situation in comparison to another one.

FAQs

What does "fairly stable" mean?

The term "fairly stable" indicates that something is moderately or reasonably stable. It suggests that while there might be some minor fluctuations or changes, the overall condition remains relatively consistent and doesn't experience significant shifts.

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

You can use "fairly stable" to describe various situations where something maintains a consistent state. For example: "The patient's condition is "fairly stable" after the surgery", or "The company's revenue has been "fairly stable" over the past year despite market fluctuations."

What are some alternatives to "fairly stable"?

Some alternatives to "fairly stable" include "relatively stable", "moderately stable", "somewhat consistent", or "largely unchanged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fairly stable"?

Yes, "fairly stable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe that something is moderately stable. You can check Ludwig's examples to verify its usage in different contexts.