it seems fairly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems fairly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a moderate level of certainty or opinion about something. Example: "It seems fairly clear that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite its obvious poverty, it seems fairly law-abiding.

The Economist

It seems fairly evenly split in its political loyalties.

The Economist

"It seems fairly unprecedented.

The New York Times

Here, it seems fairly unobjectionable.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, it seems fairly common among marketplace pastors.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seems fairly straightforward to get your head around.

The Guardian

(And where it does exist it seems fairly weak).

The Guardian

Absolutely," says Gerighty – and it seems fairly obvious he's joking.

The Guardian - Tech

It seems fairly likely that the motion will go through.

The Guardian

It seems fairly obvious that if you do less stuff, you'll do a better job.

The New York Times

It seems fairly clear he had been conserving  energy for this final frame.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems fairly" to express a qualified opinion or assessment when you want to avoid making a definitive statement. It's useful when you have some evidence but not enough for a firm conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems fairly" when you have strong evidence or are certain about something. In such cases, a more direct statement would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems fairly" functions as an epistemic phrase, indicating a qualified assessment or opinion. It expresses a degree of uncertainty while suggesting that there's some evidence or basis for the observation. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems fairly" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a qualified opinion or assessment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates a moderate level of certainty, making it suitable for situations where a definitive statement is not possible or appropriate. As shown from Ludwig's examples, it's commonly found in News & Media, used to present observations with a degree of impartiality. When greater certainty is warranted, consider more direct alternatives; otherwise, "it seems fairly" provides a balanced and nuanced way to express your views.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems reasonably

Replaces "fairly" with "reasonably", suggesting a logical basis for the impression.

it appears somewhat

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "fairly" with "somewhat", slightly softening the assertion.

it looks quite

Substitutes "seems" with "looks" and "fairly" with "quite", focusing on visual assessment rather than a general impression.

it is quite likely

Shifts the focus to likelihood, using "quite likely" to convey a similar degree of probability.

it is rather evident

Emphasizes the apparent nature of something, suggesting it's easily noticeable.

it is seemingly

Highlights that the impression may be based on appearance rather than fact.

it is apparently

Indicates that the information is based on what is known or observed, but might not be entirely accurate.

it would appear to be

Adds a layer of formality and tentativeness to the observation.

it gives the impression of being

Focuses on the subjective impression something creates.

it comes across as

Highlights how something is perceived, rather than its inherent quality.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems fairly" in a sentence?

"It seems fairly" is used to express a moderate level of certainty or likelihood. For example, "It seems fairly likely that the motion will go through" suggests a good chance of the motion passing, but without absolute certainty.

What are some alternatives to "it seems fairly"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears somewhat", "it looks quite", or "it seems reasonably" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seems fairly" formal or informal?

"It seems fairly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it would appear to be" may be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "it seems fairly obvious" and "it is obvious"?

"It seems fairly obvious" suggests a degree of apparentness but allows for the possibility of differing interpretations, while "it is obvious" indicates a higher degree of certainty and less room for doubt. Using "it seems fairly obvious" acknowledges that others may not share the same view.