it fairly close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it fairly close" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a truncated version of a phrase that might mean something is relatively near or similar. Example: "The answer is it is fairly close to what we expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He was playing it fairly close to the vest, so we were hoping he was writing something," said Michael Lombardo, the network's president for programming.

The New York Times - Arts

He's got to putt for par over a Beetle's bonnet, and gets it fairly close, but there goes that share of the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

He hit it fairly close to the hole, but the shot had so much spin on it, it rolled all the way back to the left edge of the green.

The New York Times

When you move your foot, keep it fairly close to the ground.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"And even though it's fairly close, it seems very rural and quaint".

The New York Times

There can be leeway from the exact specifications, he said, adding, "Set it up fairly close, it will be fine.

The New York Times - Tech

"And it was fairly close – we barely made it with the fourth launch of SpaceX.

The Guardian - Tech

Petty Officer Annie Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Coast Guard, said: "It is fairly close to the shipping zone.

The New York Times

It's fairly close to Tottenham, where the riots started, on a map, but of course London is massive, and it's still a few miles away.

The New York Times

Climatically it was fairly close to average in England and Wales, despite much discussion of inclement weather later in the month.

The Guardian

This model functioned well as a personal heater, although only when it was fairly close by, and the tip-over protection was effective (the machine turned off immediately when I pushed it over).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "it fairly close" with more standard phrases like "it is fairly close" or "it's quite near".

Common error

Avoid omitting the verb "is" or "was" when using phrases like "fairly close". Ensure the sentence is grammatically complete to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. For example, instead of writing "It fairly close", use "It is fairly close."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it fairly close" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied verb, indicating a state of proximity or nearness. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it lacks a necessary verb (like "is" or "was") to be grammatically complete.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it fairly close" is used to indicate proximity or similarity but, as Ludwig AI points out, is grammatically incorrect due to the missing verb. While it appears in some news and media contexts, it's best to use grammatically complete alternatives such as "it is fairly close" or "it's quite near" in formal writing. The usage frequency is rare, and the register tends towards neutral to informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is quite near

Replaces "fairly close" with a more common synonym for proximity.

it is reasonably near

Substitutes "fairly" with "reasonably", offering a similar degree of closeness.

it is relatively close

Uses "relatively" instead of "fairly" to express a degree of proximity.

it is in close proximity

Replaces "fairly close" with a more formal expression of nearness.

it is approximately nearby

Combines "approximately" to indicate 'not completely accurate' closeness and "nearby" to signal closeness.

it's a near thing

Implies that an event almost happened or a result was almost achieved.

it's within range

Suggests that something is within a specific distance or scope.

it is just around the corner

Indicates that something is imminent or very close in terms of time or location.

it is getting there

Signifies progress towards a goal or desired state.

it is on the verge

Implies that something is about to happen or be achieved.

FAQs

How can I properly use the idea of "it fairly close" in a sentence?

To use the idea correctly, make sure to include the verb 'is' or 'was'. For example, use "It is fairly close" or "It was fairly close" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "it fairly close"?

Alternatives include "it is quite near", "it is relatively close", or "it is fairly near". These options maintain grammatical correctness while conveying a similar meaning.

Is "it fairly close" grammatically sound, or is there a better way to phrase it?

The phrase "it fairly close" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use a complete sentence structure such as "it is fairly close" or "it was fairly close" for clarity and correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "it fairly close," and when should I avoid it?

While you might encounter the phrase "it fairly close" in informal conversation, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "it is reasonably near" or "it is in close proximity" to maintain a professional tone.