that's unfair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that's unfair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of injustice or inequality in a situation. Example: "I worked just as hard as everyone else, so when I didn't get the promotion, I felt that was unfair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In Netflix's view, that's unfair," explained Cicconi.

TechCrunch

To Daniel Burling, that's unfair.

The New York Times

"No, that's unfair," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's a mantra, and a stigma, that's unfair to the reality of many families.

The New York Times

(OK, that's unfair. It's as if James Taylor turned up at a Slayer concert).

Los Angeles Times

Maybe that's unfair, but it's okay, nobody's actually keeping track.

Vice

That's unfair!

The New York Times

I think that's unfair".

BBC

No, that's unfair.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

No, that was unfair.

The New Yorker

Ok, that was unfair.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's unfair" to directly express your opinion about a situation perceived as unjust or inequitable. This concise phrase immediately conveys your sentiment, making your stance clear and impactful in discussions or arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "that's unfair" in highly formal or professional writing where a more nuanced or detailed explanation of the perceived injustice is expected. Instead, provide specific reasons for your assessment using more sophisticated language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's unfair" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a subjective assessment of a situation or action. It's used to voice a feeling of injustice or inequity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that's unfair" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of injustice or inequity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, though it may be less suitable for highly formal contexts. When using this phrase, consider providing specific reasons to support your claim and choose more professional alternatives like "that's not equitable" in formal settings. Related phrases, such as "that's not fair" or "that's unjust", offer similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's not fair

Replaces "unfair" with its synonym "not fair" for a more direct expression.

that's unjust

Uses the term "unjust" to denote a lack of justice in the situation.

that's not right

Offers a general condemnation of the situation as being morally wrong or improper.

that's inequitable

Emphasizes a lack of equality or impartiality in the situation.

that's biased

Highlights the presence of prejudice or inclination that skews the situation.

that's out of line

Suggests that the action or situation exceeds the bounds of what is acceptable or appropriate.

that's unacceptable

Conveys a strong disapproval and an assertion that the situation cannot be tolerated.

that's inappropriate

Indicates that the situation is not suitable or fitting for the context.

that's unreasonable

Points out the lack of logic or justification behind the situation.

that's unwarranted

Suggests that there is no good reason or justification for the situation.

FAQs

What does the phrase "that's unfair" mean?

The phrase "that's unfair" expresses a sentiment of injustice, inequity, or a lack of fair treatment in a particular situation. It indicates that someone believes a rule, action, or outcome is not equitable or just.

What can I say instead of "that's unfair"?

You can use alternatives like "that's not fair", "that's unjust", or "that's inequitable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "that's unfair" in professional communication?

While generally understood, "that's unfair" might be perceived as too informal for certain professional contexts. In such cases, consider using phrases like "that's not equitable" or "that presents an undue burden" to express your concerns more professionally.

How can I make my argument stronger when saying "that's unfair"?

Instead of simply stating "that's unfair", provide specific reasons and evidence to support your claim. Explain why the situation is unjust, who is affected, and what the consequences are to strengthen your argument.