fairly tall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly tall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a height above average but not excessively so. Example: "The new building is fairly tall compared to the others in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Mr. Wenning is a fairly tall man.

The New York Times

On the bright side, my namesake was fairly tall.

The New York Times

I'm fairly tall – 5ft 8in – and a size 8-10.

The Guardian

It is thought that Cro-Magnons were probably fairly tall compared with other early human species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If we take a look at depictions of wheat throughout history, we observe that wheat used to be fairly tall.

Current Biology

That is a fairly tall order, but at least now the mission will have a map from which to start.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Not a small car, the Prius has a back seat that is fairly roomy, although very tall friends will want to ride up front.

The New York Times

And the only immediate way out of that is for the two sides to find some agreement on the conditions for the next elections to take place, in which all parties will compete happily and fairly.That's a tall order in Thailand's deeply polarised political environment, but absolutely necessary.

The Economist

Two tall, young, fairly skinny twin brothers called Lewis and Gregor Young were outstanding.

BBC

Some are fairly small, around 7 feet tall with a single solid-fuel engine, while the largest are 65 feet tall with four-stage engines for reaching much greater altitudes.

Forbes

It is heavy and fairly large - some 6m (20ftallall.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly tall" in descriptive writing, ensure the context provides a reference point for the reader to understand the comparison. This clarifies the degree of height being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly tall" when the subject is clearly and significantly above average height. In such cases, "very tall" or "exceptionally tall" would be more appropriate to accurately reflect the subject's height.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly tall" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically as an adjective phrase. It describes the degree or extent of the noun it modifies, indicating a height that is above average but not exceptionally so. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly tall" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is above average in height, but not exceptionally so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. It appears frequently in news and media, wiki, and scientific contexts. While "very tall" indicates significantly greater height, "fairly tall" provides a more moderate assessment. Alternatives include "moderately tall" or "somewhat tall".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately tall

Indicates a height that is neither short nor exceptionally high, similar to "fairly tall".

somewhat tall

Suggests a height that is above average but not remarkably so, akin to "fairly tall".

quite tall

Emphasizes the height to a slightly greater extent than "fairly tall".

rather tall

Similar to "quite tall", indicating a notable but not extreme height.

relatively tall

Indicates height in comparison to something else, similar to the implied comparison in "fairly tall".

passably tall

Suggests the height meets a certain standard or expectation, similar to "fairly tall" implying an acceptable level of height.

reasonably tall

Indicates the height is within an expected range or limit, similarly to the height in "fairly tall".

noticeably tall

Emphasizes that the height is easily observed or detected, providing a slightly stronger emphasis than "fairly tall".

distinctly tall

Suggests a clear and unambiguous height, placing greater stress on the quality of being tall than "fairly tall".

appreciably tall

Implies the height is significant or worth noting, offering a more formal tone than "fairly tall".

FAQs

What does "fairly tall" mean?

The phrase "fairly tall" describes something that is above average in height but not extremely so. It implies a moderate degree of tallness.

What are some synonyms for "fairly tall"?

Alternatives to "fairly tall" include "moderately tall", "somewhat tall", or "quite tall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fairly tall" in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly tall" is suitable for formal writing. It's a neutral and clear way to describe height without being overly casual or informal.

How does "fairly tall" compare to "very tall"?

"Fairly tall" suggests a moderate level of height above average, while "very tall" implies a significantly greater height. The choice between the two depends on the degree of tallness you wish to emphasize.