fairly useful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fairly useful' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has some useful qualities, but may not be completely or absolutely useful. For example, "The new smartphone has some fairly useful features, although it still has a few kinks to work out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I think the app is fairly useful and I like the idea of using your social graph to both advertise and find rental properties.

TechCrunch

Acceptability Likert scale: 1 – Very unacceptable, 2 – Fairly unacceptable, 3 – Neutral, 4 – Fairly acceptable, 5 – Very acceptable Utility Likert scale 1 – Not useful at all, 2 – Not very useful, 3 – Neutral, 4 – Fairly useful, 5 – Very useful Analysis was performed on SPSS using non-parametric methods (Mann-Whitney U test).

BMC Gastroenterology

I'm fairly useful around the house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"More accurate analogies might actually be fairly useful in painting the picture for consumers.

The Guardian

None of the apps do everything well, unfortunately, but they are all fairly useful.

The New York Times - Tech

Lacunarity, defined by a single parameter, was shown to be fairly useful in discerning the structures.

Ecological Modelling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

To calculate the score SL S1,S2), we used Jaccard coefficient [7] that is a fairly quite useful and easy standard to automate the measurement.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

The V-6 has a fairly narrow useful range of engine speed: by 3,000 r.p.m., you're nearing the horsepower peak and are well past the torque plateau of 406 pound-feet.

The New York Times

The GEP-based formula is fairly simple and useful for pre-design applications.

Automation in Construction

"It's fairly brutal, but useful as well," Mr. Mantsch said, because both the applicant selected and the roommates are ensured of compatibility.

The New York Times

Quite a few of them, particularly among the Liberal Democrat and Labour peers, are turning out to be a fairly lively and useful bunch, refusing to approve vile legislation, standing up to pressure, and, where Brexit is concerned, let's be frank, doing the opposition's job for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tools, techniques, or resources, use "fairly useful" to convey a nuanced assessment. It indicates the subject is helpful without being indispensable, setting realistic expectations for its capabilities.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly useful" when describing something that is clearly essential or highly effective. Overusing qualifiers like "fairly" can dilute the impact of your writing and undermine the subject's importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly useful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its level of utility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates something possesses a moderate degree of usefulness, not exceptionally so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly useful" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that has a moderate degree of utility or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and versatile for various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse registers, from news articles to academic papers. While "fairly useful" does not denote exceptional value, it provides a balanced assessment, acknowledging benefits without overstatement. When writing, be mindful of avoiding understatement or overstatement of usefulness when applying this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately helpful

Indicates a similar level of usefulness but uses 'helpful' instead of 'useful'.

somewhat beneficial

Replaces 'useful' with 'beneficial', suggesting a positive effect to a certain extent.

reasonably effective

Focuses on the effectiveness of something, implying it works to a satisfactory degree.

quite practical

Emphasizes the practicality of something, suggesting it's useful in a real-world situation.

passably advantageous

Suggests that something provides a benefit that is acceptable or adequate.

serviceable to some degree

Implies that something is functional and can be used to fulfill a purpose, but not exceptionally.

adequately valuable

Focuses on the value of something, suggesting it meets a minimum requirement.

sufficiently functional

Highlights the functionality of something, indicating it works well enough for its intended purpose.

relatively handy

Replaces 'useful' with 'handy', suggesting that something is convenient and easy to use.

tolerably worthwhile

Indicates that something is worth the effort or cost to a limited extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly useful" to describe something that has a moderate degree of utility. For example, "The new software is "fairly useful" for organizing data, but it's not perfect."

What can I say instead of "fairly useful"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately helpful", "somewhat beneficial", or "reasonably effective" depending on the context.

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

No, "fairly useful" indicates a moderate level of usefulness, while "very useful" suggests a high degree of utility. Something that is "fairly useful" is helpful to some extent, but not necessarily essential or highly effective.

When is it appropriate to use "fairly useful"?

Use "fairly useful" when you want to express that something has some benefits or advantages, but it is not the best option or not fully effective. It implies a balanced assessment, acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects.