more than fair

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than fair" is a perfectly acceptable phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is more than reasonably just or equitable. For example: "The court ruled that the settlement offer was more than fair and both parties agreed to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's more than fair and balanced.

The New York Times

That sounds more than fair.

The New Yorker

That seems more than fair.

The Washington Post

That sounds more than fair to us.

The New York Times

"I think I'm being more than fair".

The New York Times - Sports

Other analysts, however, said the price was more than fair.

The New York Times

I think I've been more than fair with you".

The Guardian - Sport

Turnabout, of course, is more than fair play in politics.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Joe Stead makes a more-than-fair point: "Nicholas Cage is easily more annoying, just his voice alone.

The Guardian - Sport

Under Florida law, sellers tend to receive far more than fair-market value, enriching landowners at taxpayer expense.

The New York Times

We have our fair share – perhaps more than our fair share – of dreadful murders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than fair", ensure that the context clearly establishes a baseline of fairness against which the situation is being compared. This will strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "more than fair" when describing situations that are merely adequate or meet minimum requirements. This phrase should be reserved for instances where there is a clear surplus of justice or reasonableness, as indicated by the analysis from Ludwig.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than fair" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing it as exceeding the standard level of fairness. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than fair" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjectival phrase that signifies a situation exceeding standard expectations of fairness. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. It serves to emphasize an exceptional degree of justice or generosity. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly establishes a baseline of fairness for comparison, thus enhancing its impact. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potentially overstating the case and avoid using "more than fair" when the situation is only marginally adequate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely equitable

Emphasizes the high degree of fairness and justice.

unusually equitable

Highlights the uncommon level of fairness in the situation.

exceedingly just

Stresses the moral and ethical correctness, going further than just fair.

eminently reasonable

Highlights the sense of logic and justification beyond simple fairness.

exceptionally reasonable

Focuses on the logical and practical aspects, suggesting a clear rationale.

highly impartial

Focuses on the absence of bias to an extreme degree.

decidedly unbiased

Like 'highly impartial', but uses the word 'unbiased' explicitly.

very generous

Implies that the situation exceeds fair expectations and enters the realm of giving more than what is required.

uncommonly decent

Indicates a higher level of ethical behavior or treatment.

remarkably appropriate

Indicates that the action or decision aligns perfectly and notably with the situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "more than fair" in a sentence?

Use "more than fair" to describe situations that significantly exceed standard expectations of fairness. For example, "The settlement offered by the company was "more than fair", compensating the victims generously."

What are some alternatives to using "more than fair"?

Alternatives to "more than fair" include "extremely equitable", "eminently reasonable", or "very generous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "more than fair" in formal writing?

Yes, "more than fair" is suitable for formal writing. As the Ludwig analysis shows, the phrase appears in reputable news sources, business contexts, and even scientific publications, indicating its acceptance across various registers.

What's the difference between "fair" and "more than fair"?

"Fair" implies a just or reasonable outcome, while "more than fair" suggests that the outcome not only meets the criteria of fairness but exceeds it, offering additional benefits or advantages.