somewhat fair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat fair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or judgment that is moderately just or equitable, but not entirely so. Example: "The decision made by the committee was somewhat fair, considering the circumstances surrounding the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You try to be somewhat fair with what you're doing".

The New York Times - Sports

If Georgia entered the game with at least a somewhat fair reputation for coming up small in the biggest moments, the Bulldogs did not shrink here.

The New York Times - Sports

"There used to be at least an attempt to come to a compromise that was somewhat fair, but the system is tainted now," said Mr. Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Association, representing 25,000 owners.

The New York Times

It's somewhat fair then that critics were initially concerned about The Sopranos.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The government has tinkered, allowing somewhat fairer television coverage.

The Economist

As became clear when the club met Vyacheslav Volodin, his adviser on domestic politics, the Kremlin is trying a more open approach, even tolerating somewhat fairer elections.

The Economist

China plans to have 70% of its children in three years of pre-school by 2020.The third priority is to reform taxes, to make them a lot more efficient and somewhat fairer.

The Economist

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and with somewhat fairer coloring than we've come to expect from the Man of Steel, the Encores! revival of "It's a Bird … It's a Plane … It's Superman" has found the actor to play the costumed DC Comics champion of its title.

The New York Times

Still, the criticism that American music has been slighted somewhat is "fair enough," he said.

The New York Times

The responses to the questions were scored on a 5-point scale; not at all, a little, somewhat, a fair amount and a great deal.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

And while the shallow tv camera angles at Buck Shaw foreshorten the impression of their play somewhat, it's fair to say that there are a fair few goals scored there that can be fairly described as being "bundled" as much as "kicked".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat fair" when you want to express that something is fair to a degree, but not perfectly or completely so. It implies a qualified assessment of fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat fair" when you mean to convey complete fairness. In situations demanding unequivocal impartiality, opt for stronger terms like "fair", "just", or "equitable".

Linguistic Context

"Somewhat fair" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a qualified assessment of fairness. Ludwig AI shows examples in the context of judgments and reputations, suggesting its role in expressing nuanced opinions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat fair" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something possessing a degree of fairness but not entirely so. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this adjective phrase functions to qualify a judgment or assessment. While "somewhat fair" isn't as prevalent as other similar phrases, it finds its usage in varied sources such as news media and science, as shown in the provided examples. Alternatives like "partially fair" or "reasonably just" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. When aiming for absolute impartiality, stronger terms are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat impartial

Direct synonym, emphasizing a lack of complete bias.

reasonably just

Implies a moderate level of fairness, focusing on the justice aspect.

moderately equitable

Suggests fairness in terms of equal treatment or distribution, but not completely so.

partially unbiased

Highlights the absence of complete bias, indicating some degree of impartiality.

somewhat reasonable

Focuses on the logical and rational aspect of fairness.

relatively unbiased

Indicates a comparative lack of bias, more fair than others.

not entirely unfair

Emphasizes the absence of complete unfairness, suggesting a degree of fairness.

kind of fair

Informal way of expressing that something is fair to some extent.

marginally fair

Suggests a slight degree of fairness, close to being unfair.

tolerably fair

Indicates that something is fair enough to be tolerated, though not ideal.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat fair" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat fair" to describe a situation or decision that possesses some degree of fairness, but is not entirely just or equitable. For example, "The judge's ruling was "somewhat fair", considering all the evidence presented."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat fair"?

Alternatives include phrases like "partially fair", "moderately equitable", or "reasonably just". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little fair" instead of "somewhat fair"?

While "a little fair" is understandable, "somewhat fair" is generally considered more formal and grammatically appropriate for written English. "A little fair" is more colloquial.

What's the difference between "somewhat fair" and "completely fair"?

"Somewhat fair" implies a degree of fairness that is not absolute, whereas "completely fair" suggests that something is entirely just and equitable without any reservations.