that would be fair

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'that would be fair' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express an opinion that something is fair or just. For example, you could say "If we each paid half of the bill, that would be fair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"You should have some quota or market share, that would be fair".

The New York Times

Done in a less disgusting and rank way, that would be fair.

The Guardian

I don't see how we would be able to do that in a way that would be fair".

The New York Times

Congress now needs to devise a real fix that would be fair to doctors and make a serious effort to slow the rise of Medicare spending.

The New York Times

"There is a way to do these elections in a way that would be fair and efficient," said Scott Harshbarger, president of Common Cause.

The New York Times

It issued a statement in which it claimed it was trying to strike a "balance" that would be fair on visitors – and locals.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

An obvious, logical move that would be fairer to fans and players alike.

Los Angeles Times

That would be fairer to savers; setting a limit might also encourage insurers to develop products that would cover individuals' liabilities.It would be costly for the state, however.

The Economist

That'd be fair and balanced broadcasting!

Huffington Post

A: If that is what I was suggesting, that would be a fair criticism.

The Guardian

We trusted Charlie Norwood to work out a deal that would be a fair compromise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that would be fair" to express agreement or suggest a balanced approach in negotiations or discussions. It indicates a willingness to find a solution that is just for everyone involved.

Common error

While versatile, "that would be fair" can sound informal in certain professional settings. Consider stronger, more decisive language like "that is an equitable solution" or "that represents a just outcome" for formal reports or high-stakes negotiations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would be fair" functions as a comment or agreement indicating that a proposed action or situation aligns with principles of justice and impartiality. As noted by Ludwig AI, it expresses an opinion on fairness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

18%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that would be fair" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate agreement, propose a compromise, or generally express that a situation is just and reasonable. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as an opinion on fairness. While frequently found in news and media sources, it also appears in academic contexts. It's generally suitable for neutral settings, but for more formal or legalistic situations, it's best to consider stronger, more decisive alternatives like "that is an equitable solution" or "that represents a just outcome". Remember, while this phrase is widely understood, its formality should match the context to achieve the desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems reasonable

Replaces "fair" with "reasonable", focusing on the acceptability of the situation.

that sounds equitable

Uses "equitable" to emphasize fairness and impartiality.

that's a just outcome

Focuses on the result being fair and righteous.

that would be a just solution

Replaces "fair" with "just" and "solution", emphasizing the result.

that's a balanced approach

Highlights the consideration of different perspectives for a fair resolution.

that's a reasonable compromise

Emphasizes mutual concessions for a fair agreement.

that's an impartial decision

Highlights the neutrality and objectivity of the decision.

that appears unbiased

Focuses on the absence of prejudice or favoritism.

that's a level playing field

Emphasizes equal opportunities for all involved.

that's a square deal

Uses an informal idiom to convey fairness and honesty.

FAQs

How can I use "that would be fair" in a sentence?

You can use "that would be fair" to express agreement with a proposal, or to suggest a compromise. For example, "If we split the costs evenly, "that would be fair"".

What's a more formal alternative to "that would be fair"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "that is an equitable solution" or "that represents a just outcome" instead of "that would be fair".

Is "that would be fair" always appropriate?

While generally acceptable, "that would be fair" might sound too casual in very formal or legalistic contexts. Choose your wording to match the setting.

How does "that would be fair" compare to "that seems fair"?

"That seems fair" expresses a subjective impression of fairness, while "that would be fair" suggests a more objective agreement or proposed solution.