try to be fair

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to be fair" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations, but it is often used to encourage someone to be unbiased or just in their actions or decisions. Example: In a court case, the judge reminded the jury to try to be fair and impartial in their deliberations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Let us try to be fair.

The Guardian

"We try to be fair to him.

The New Yorker

She didn't try to be fair.

The New Yorker

"We try to be fair and balanced in our coverage".

The New York Times - Sports

Manufacturers say they try to be fair in allocating vaccines.

The New York Times - Health

Judges aren't perfect, but at least their job is to try to be fair.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

CNN tries to be fair.

The Economist

But I've tried to be fair.

The New York Times - Books

She just tried to be fair.

The New York Times

And he was trying to be fair.

The Guardian

I'm simply trying to be fair to all members".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving feedback, frame your criticisms constructively and "try to be fair" by acknowledging the strengths alongside the weaknesses.

Common error

Don't assume that being fair means treating everyone the same. "Try to be fair" by recognizing individual needs and circumstances to ensure equitable outcomes, which may require differentiated approaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to be fair" functions as an imperative, offering guidance or advice. It expresses a recommendation or plea for impartiality and justice, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to be fair" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to advocate for impartiality and balanced judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, its communicative purpose is to encourage objective consideration and equity. The phrase is predominantly found in "News & Media" but also appears in scientific and general contexts. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to recognize that fairness doesn't always equate to treating everyone identically; instead, it involves considering individual circumstances to ensure equitable outcomes. Alternatives include phrases like "aim for fairness" and "strive for impartiality".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim for fairness

Changes the verb from "try" to "aim", suggesting a more definite intention.

strive for impartiality

Replaces "fair" with "impartiality", emphasizing objectivity.

endeavor to be just

Uses "endeavor" instead of "try", implying a more committed effort, and "just" instead of "fair".

seek to be equitable

Replaces "fair" with "equitable", highlighting the importance of equal treatment.

make an effort to be unbiased

Focuses on removing bias, clarifying the intent behind being fair.

work towards balanced judgment

Shifts the focus to the outcome of fairness which is balanced judgment.

pursue objectivity

Highlights the goal of objectivity, which is a key component of fairness.

act without prejudice

Emphasizes the avoidance of prejudice, a barrier to fairness.

maintain an even hand

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the idea of impartiality.

be reasonable and fair

Adds the adjective "reasonable" strengthening the need to be balanced.

FAQs

How can I use "try to be fair" in a sentence?

You can use "try to be fair" to encourage someone to consider all sides of a situation, such as: "When evaluating the candidates, "try to be fair" and consider their qualifications objectively."

What does it mean to "try to be fair"?

To "try to be fair" means to make an effort to be impartial, just, and equitable in your dealings, decisions, or judgments. It involves considering all perspectives and avoiding bias.

What are some alternatives to "try to be fair"?

Alternatives include "aim for fairness", "strive for impartiality", or "endeavor to be just", each conveying a similar commitment to objectivity.

In what situations is it important to "try to be fair"?

It is crucial to "try to be fair" in various situations such as judging competitions, resolving disputes, making decisions that affect others, and evaluating performance.