was fairly high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was fairly high" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level or degree of something that is above average or significant, often in contexts like statistics, measurements, or evaluations. Example: "The temperature during the summer months was fairly high, leading to increased energy consumption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My level of anxiety was fairly high.

The New York Times

The quality of the arguments was fairly high.

The New Yorker

Wednesday's turnout of justices was fairly high by recent standards.

The New York Times

At this point, the level outside the plant was fairly high too.

The Economist

When the dose of crack was fairly high, the subject would typically choose to keep smoking crack during the day.

The New York Times - Science

But Mr. Owens, the former I.R.S. official, said the likelihood was "fairly high" that the foundation was in violation of the federal tax code.

The New York Times

We were there, we had some nice guitars and we were going to play and get paid, which was fairly high on our to-do list at the time.

The Guardian - Music

In the event, the turnout was fairly high, at just under 64%, with a 51.6% "yes" vote and 48.4% for "no", a positive majority of more than 77,000.

The Guardian

The correlation between predicted means under moderate and severe stress levels was fairly high (0.69).

Rice

3. Multiple correlation coefficient (R 2) value (0.9946) was fairly high so significant for Goodness of fit test.

Applied Water Science

Neat acetic acid could also be electrolysed on both sides SPE though the cell voltage was fairly high.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was fairly high", ensure the context provides a clear point of reference. It's most effective when the reader understands what constitutes a 'normal' or 'average' level for comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "was fairly high" when the level is genuinely critical or exceptional. Overusing qualifiers diminishes the impact of more significant findings or observations. If it's truly exceptional, use stronger language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "was fairly high" is to act as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it serves to quantify a characteristic or measurement as being above average but not exceptionally so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was fairly high" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is above average without being extreme. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, writers should strive for precision and context when possible. Consider alternatives like "was quite high" or "was moderately high" for nuanced expression. Ultimately, providing context ensures clarity in understanding the significance of what "was fairly high" represents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reasonably high

Replaces "fairly" with "reasonably", indicating a similar degree but with a slightly different nuance.

was quite high

Uses "quite" instead of "fairly", offering a close synonym with a slightly stronger emphasis.

was rather high

Substitutes "fairly" with "rather", which is nearly interchangeable and maintains the same meaning.

was relatively high

Replaces "fairly" with "relatively", indicating a comparison to something else as a basis for the high level.

was somewhat high

Uses "somewhat" instead of "fairly", suggesting a slightly lower degree of being high.

was moderately high

Replaces "fairly" with "moderately", indicating a balance between not too high and not too low.

was appreciably high

Substitutes "fairly" with "appreciably", suggesting that the high level is noticeable or significant.

was notably high

Replaces "fairly" with "notably", which indicates that the high level is worth paying attention to.

reached a considerable height

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the attainment of a substantial height or level.

exhibited a marked increase

Shifts the focus to the increase itself, suggesting a noticeable rise rather than just a high level.

FAQs

How can I use "was fairly high" in a sentence?

Use "was fairly high" to describe a level, degree, or amount that is above average but not extreme. For example, "The response rate to the survey "was fairly high", indicating strong interest in the topic."

What's a more formal alternative to "was fairly high"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was relatively high" or "was moderately high". These options maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

Is "was fairly high" appropriate for scientific writing?

Yes, "was fairly high" can be used in scientific writing, but ensure it's precise. Provide specific data or context to quantify what "fairly high" means in your study or analysis. For instance, stating "The concentration of the compound "was fairly high", reaching 75% of the control group's level."

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "was fairly high"?

Avoid using "was fairly high" when a more precise measurement or description is possible. It's also important to avoid overusing this phrase, as it can make your writing sound vague. Ensure you provide enough context for the reader to understand what "fairly high" means in your specific situation. If the degree is critical or exceptional, using phrases like "was extremely high" may be more apt.