fairly tolerable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly tolerable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat acceptable or bearable, though not ideal. Example: "The weather today is fairly tolerable, considering how extreme it has been lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A journalist recounts how a hellish regimen designed to raise a mutilated boy as a girl failed completely, though the victim survived to lead a fairly tolerable life.

The New York Times - Books

Not very fair, but fairly tolerable, as long as the pie kept growing.

Huffington Post

CEUS was fairly tolerable for all but one cat.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A little bit of this stuff might've been tolerable, including fairly weak performances by Decker and Gadson, but after a while, it all starts to get on your nerves.

Huffington Post

NOISE LEVEL -- Tolerable.

The New York Times

Legoland had been tolerable.

The New Yorker

That much was tolerable.

The New York Times - Sports

It was tolerable.

The Guardian

Still, adequate is tolerable.

The New York Times

It is not tolerable.

The New Yorker

Saturday mornings, however, are tolerable.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that isn't ideal but can be endured, use "fairly tolerable" to convey a sense of cautious acceptance. For example, "The noise level was high, but fairly tolerable."

Common error

Avoid using "fairly tolerable" when something is genuinely enjoyable or excellent. This phrase is best suited for situations that are acceptable despite having some drawbacks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly tolerable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing the extent to which something is bearable or acceptable. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness in written English and its role in denoting something acceptable but not ideal. Examples show it qualifies conditions or situations, not objects or people.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly tolerable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something as moderately acceptable or bearable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable when you want to indicate that something isn't perfect, but still within acceptable limits. It is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. For alternative phrasings, consider "moderately acceptable" or "reasonably bearable" to convey a similar meaning. Use this phrase when you want to express cautious acceptance, and avoid overstating the tolerability of a situation. Ludwig's analysis suggests that it's a useful phrase for expressing measured acceptance in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately acceptable

This alternative replaces "fairly" with "moderately" and "tolerable" with "acceptable", maintaining the same sense of something being passable but not outstanding.

Reasonably bearable

This option uses "reasonably" in place of "fairly" and "bearable" instead of "tolerable", suggesting something can be endured to a certain extent.

Slightly acceptable

Using "slightly" instead of "fairly" implies a minimal level of acceptance.

Somewhat satisfactory

Here, "fairly" is exchanged for "somewhat", and "tolerable" is substituted with "satisfactory", indicating a degree of fulfillment that is not exceptional.

Passably adequate

"Passably" is used instead of "fairly", and "adequate" replaces "tolerable", showing something that just barely meets requirements.

Kind of okay

This is a more informal way to express that something is "fairly tolerable", suggesting it's just alright.

Manageable to some extent

This alternative expresses the idea of being "fairly tolerable" by focusing on the manageability aspect, indicating that it can be handled or dealt with.

Acceptable enough

This option uses "acceptable enough" to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing that it meets the minimum requirements for acceptance.

Within acceptable limits

This alternative emphasizes that the situation or condition is within the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.

Not entirely objectionable

This phrase uses a double negative to indicate something is "fairly tolerable", suggesting it's not completely unpleasant or unacceptable.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly tolerable" to describe something that is acceptable or bearable, but not ideal. For example, "The commute was long, but the traffic was "fairly tolerable"".

What are some alternatives to "fairly tolerable"?

Alternatives to "fairly tolerable" include "moderately acceptable", "reasonably bearable", or "slightly acceptable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fairly tolerable" the same as "very tolerable"?

No, "fairly tolerable" implies a moderate level of acceptability, while "very tolerable" suggests a higher degree of comfort or ease. "Fairly" indicates something is just acceptable, whereas "very" means it's highly acceptable.

When is it appropriate to use "fairly tolerable" in writing?

Use "fairly tolerable" when describing situations that have drawbacks but are still manageable or acceptable. It's suitable when something isn't perfect but can be endured or dealt with. For instance, "The accommodations were basic, but "fairly tolerable" for a short stay".