it was fairly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fairly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a moderate degree of something, often in relation to quality, quantity, or extent. Example: "The movie was fairly entertaining, but it could have been better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was fairly deliberate in terms of its timing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was fairly idyllic".

Independent

"It was fairly workmanlike".

The New York Times - Sports

It was fairly hot".

The New York Times - Sports

As endorsements go, it was fairly tepid.

The New York Times

"It was fairly even," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was fairly scary," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

It was fairly painful to watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was fairly grim," he said.

The New York Times

It was fairly simple to navigate.

The New York Times

It was fairly real actually.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was fairly" to express a moderate degree of a quality or characteristic without being overly emphatic. For example, "It was fairly easy" suggests something wasn't too difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "it was fairly" with adjectives that already imply a high degree. Saying "it was fairly excellent" is redundant; instead, opt for "it was excellent" or "it was fairly good".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fairly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective or adverb. It serves to qualify the degree to which something possesses a particular characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was fairly" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a moderate degree or assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's best to use "it was fairly" with adjectives that can be qualified and to avoid redundancy with stronger adjectives. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "it was quite" or "it was somewhat" to add nuance to your writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a range of communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite

Emphasizes a slightly higher degree than "fairly".

it was rather

Similar in meaning to "fairly", suggesting a moderate degree.

it was somewhat

Indicates a slightly lesser degree than "fairly".

it was reasonably

Highlights the adequacy or acceptability of something.

it was relatively

Compares the subject to something else, indicating a moderate degree in comparison.

it was moderately

Suggests a balanced or medium level of something.

it was comparatively

Similar to "relatively", emphasizing a comparison.

it was justly

Indicates something was deserved or fair.

it was evenly

Implies balance or equal distribution.

it was faithfully

Suggests accuracy and loyalty.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was fairly" to describe something that is moderately so. For example, "The movie was fairly entertaining" or "The weather was fairly warm".

What's the difference between "it was fairly" and "it was very"?

"It was fairly" indicates a moderate degree, while "it was very" indicates a high degree. Use "it was fairly" when something is moderately true, not extremely so.

Which is more formal, "it was fairly" or "it was rather"?

Both "it was fairly" and "it was rather" are generally considered neutral in formality. However, "it was rather" might be perceived as slightly more formal or old-fashioned in certain contexts.

What can I say instead of "it was fairly" to express a similar idea?

Alternatives to "it was fairly" include "it was quite", "it was somewhat", or "it was relatively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.