patently unfair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently unfair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is clearly and obviously unjust or inequitable. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the program was patently unfair to the students who rely on it for their education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is patently unfair.

The New York Times

It's patently unfair.

The Guardian

"To get cut off is patently unfair".

The New York Times

"It's patently unfair to dump this in their laps.

Independent

That patently unfair practice penalizes the poor and, disproportionately, minorities.

The Washington Post

That's patently silly and patently unfair," he says.

The Guardian

Continuing to deny this reality is patently unfair.

The New York Times

It is patently unfair to characterize an institution on the basis of a few inadvertent missteps.

Princeton University

"If it seems patently unfair, why should I play this game?

The New York Times

To lump Marquez into the P.E.D. discussion, without proof, Arum said "would be patently unfair".

The New York Times - Sports

The stereotype was patently unfair to women who took gaming seriously.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, replace "patently unfair" with alternatives like "blatantly unjust" or "clearly inequitable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "patently unfair" in situations where fairness is a matter of opinion or perspective. Reserve it for instances where objective standards of justice are clearly violated to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently unfair" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is obviously and undeniably unjust. As seen in the Ludwig examples, this phrase is commonly used to express strong disapproval of inequitable situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "patently unfair" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations or actions that are obviously unjust. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the reasons for the perceived unfairness are clear and supported by evidence. While effective, consider alternatives like "blatantly unjust" or "clearly inequitable" to fine-tune the emphasis. Avoid overuse in subjective contexts to maintain the phrase's impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatantly unjust

Stronger emphasis on the overt and obvious nature of the injustice.

clearly inequitable

Focuses specifically on the lack of equity or fairness.

manifestly unjust

Similar to "patently", but with a slightly more formal tone.

obviously unfair

Emphasizes the ease with which the unfairness can be perceived.

plainly unfair

A simpler and more direct way to express the same idea.

flagrantly unjust

Highlights the scandalous or outrageous nature of the unfairness.

indisputably unfair

Suggests that the unfairness is beyond question or argument.

egregiously unfair

Emphasizes the extreme or shocking degree of unfairness.

unquestionably unfair

Similar to "indisputably", stressing the lack of doubt.

undeniably unfair

Highlights the irrefutable aspect of unfairness, making it impossible to ignore.

FAQs

What does "patently unfair" mean?

"Patently unfair" means something is so obviously and clearly unfair that it is easily recognizable and undeniable.

What can I say instead of "patently unfair"?

You can use alternatives like "blatantly unjust", "clearly inequitable", or "manifestly unjust" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "patently unfair" in formal writing?

Yes, "patently unfair" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing situations where injustice is evident and easily demonstrable.

How does "patently unfair" differ from "simply unfair"?

"Patently unfair" implies a higher degree of obviousness and certitude than "simply unfair". "Patently" suggests the unfairness is readily apparent and requires no further explanation, while "simply unfair" can refer to situations where the unfairness might be more subtle or debatable.