not fair for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not fair for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is unfair or unequal for someone. For example, "It's not fair for the children to have to wait outside in the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not fair for the players".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not fair for the children.

The Guardian

"It's not fair for taxpayers, and it's not fair for city workers".

The New York Times

Brodeur added: "It's not fair for the fans.

The New York Times

"It's not fair for me to comment," replied Mr. Reibstein.

The New York Times

It's not fair for the players and the fans.

The Guardian - Sport

This is not safe for patients and not fair for junior doctors.

Independent

It's not fair for the same people to do it every time.

The New York Times

It's simply not fair for staff not to receive the pension contributions they are legally due.

The Guardian - Money

But it's not fair for someone to be named an intersex athlete.

The Guardian - Sport

"I've got two young children, so it's not fair for me to end up disappearing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not fair for", ensure you clearly state who or what is being treated unfairly to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It's not fair for", specify "It's not fair for the students."

Common error

Avoid using "not fair for" without providing context or specific examples. Vague statements like "Life's not fair for anyone" are less impactful than explaining the specific injustices you're addressing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not fair for" primarily functions as an evaluative expression, used to express disagreement with a situation due to perceived inequity. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this phrase used in contexts ranging from sports to social commentary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

General Discussion

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not fair for" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of injustice or inequity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is evaluative, serving to express disapproval of situations considered unfair. Found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and sports reporting, the phrase maintains a generally neutral tone. When using "not fair for", clarity is key; always specify who or what is experiencing the unfairness to avoid ambiguity. For more formal settings, alternatives like "unjust to" or "inequitable for" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfair to

A more direct and common synonym, replacing "not fair" with its antonym "unfair".

not right for

A more informal way of expressing unfairness, using "not right" instead of "not fair".

unjust to

This alternative uses "unjust" to convey a stronger sense of moral wrongness compared to "not fair".

inequitable for

Using "inequitable" emphasizes the lack of equality in a situation, making it more formal.

not equitable to

Similar to "inequitable for", but phrased using "not equitable" to maintain the negative construction.

biased against

This suggests a prejudice or inclination that causes the unfairness.

not justifiable for

Emphasizes that there is no valid reason to support the situation.

undeserved for

Focuses on the idea that something negative is happening without justification.

unreasonable for

Highlights the lack of logical justification for the situation.

inappropriate for

Suggests the situation is unsuitable or out of place, implying unfairness.

FAQs

How can I use "not fair for" in a sentence?

You can use "not fair for" to express that a situation or outcome is unjust or inequitable for someone. For example, "It's "not fair for" the team to lose because of a bad call by the referee."

What's a more formal alternative to "not fair for"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "unjust to" or "inequitable for" which carry a stronger sense of moral wrongness or lack of equality.

Is "not fair for" the same as "unfair to"?

While similar, "unfair to" is a more direct synonym. "Not fair for" is often used when explaining the reasons behind the perceived unfairness, while "unfair to" is a more general statement of injustice.

When is it appropriate to use "not fair for" in writing?

Use ""not fair for"" when you want to express a sense of injustice, inequity, or that someone is being disadvantaged. Ensure the context clearly identifies who is experiencing the unfairness.