while it was fair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while it was fair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was just or equitable during a specific time or situation. Example: "While it was fair to give everyone a chance, some still felt overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But for a while, it was fair to wonder if Vick would make it through the game.

The New York Times - Sports

It added that while it was fair that Jewish schools should give preference to Jewish children, the admissions criteria must depend not on family ties, but "on faith, however defined".

The New York Times

Ken Macdonald, warden of Wadham College, Oxford, said while it was fair to ask universities to curb attempts to radicalise or recruit students, the government's anti-radicalisation strategy, Prevent, could be abused to stifle otherwise legal debate.

The Guardian

Appearing on "Meet the Press" on NBC, Mr. Obama said that while it was "fair" for voters to consider the matter, it had also "distracted" him and voters from the major issues in the campaign.

The New York Times

Ronald D. Rotunda, a law professor at the University of Illinois and a former consultant to Kenneth W. Starr's independent counsel investigation, said that while it was "fair to raise questions," the administration's critics were too quick to assume the worst.

The New York Times

While it was fair to call Clark an O.J. expert, she wasn't exactly worried about any notions of journalistic objectivity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If your bird can reliably fly from one person to another and perch quietly on a shoulder for a while, it's fair to plan for him to fly from the groom to the bride and sit on her shoulder as she walks down the aisle.

WikiHow

While it's fair to disagree, it's puerile to refuse to listen.

The New York Times

But she added, "While it's fair to say she facilitated a lousy plan, she didn't write it".

The New Yorker

He argued that while it is fair to criticise him as a leader, making repeated allegations against him over the 2002 riots is illegitimate.

The Economist

While it is fair to criticize Governor Walker, to compare him to Senator McCarthy, who used baseless accusations and unfair innuendo, is a disgrace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while it was fair" to introduce a concession before presenting a contrasting point or perspective.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses beginning with "while it was fair" as this can make your writing convoluted and difficult to follow. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while it was fair" functions as a concessive conjunction phrase, introducing a clause that acknowledges a point of fairness before presenting a contrasting or qualifying statement. This construction is common in arguments and discussions. The Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while it was fair" serves as a concessive conjunction, often used to introduce a viewpoint acknowledging the fairness of a situation before presenting a contrasting argument or perspective. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. When employing this phrase, consider that alternatives like "although it was equitable" or "even though it was just" may provide a more precise nuance. However, be aware of overuse in complex sentences to maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although it was equitable

Replaces "while" with "although" and "fair" with "equitable", emphasizing impartiality.

even though it was just

Substitutes "while" with "even though" and "fair" with "just", focusing on righteousness.

granted it was reasonable

Uses "granted" to concede a point, replacing "fair" with "reasonable", implying logical appropriateness.

admittedly it was unbiased

Employs "admittedly" to acknowledge, and "unbiased" instead of "fair" to stress impartiality.

though it seemed appropriate

Replaces "fair" with "appropriate", suggesting suitability to the situation.

while appearing legitimate

Focuses on the appearance of fairness by using "legitimate" in place of "fair".

although seemingly impartial

Highlights the perception of fairness, replacing "fair" with "impartial" and adding "seemingly".

even if it looked balanced

Uses "balanced" to convey fairness, emphasizing equilibrium and perspective.

granted, the decision appeared justified

Emphasizes the justification behind a decision, using "justified" in place of "fair".

though the action seemed reasonable

Focuses on the rationality of an action by using "reasonable" to mean fair.

FAQs

How can I use "while it was fair" in a sentence?

Use "while it was fair" to introduce a statement that acknowledges the fairness of something, often followed by a contrasting or qualifying statement. For example: "While it was fair to give everyone a chance, some still felt overlooked.

What can I say instead of "while it was fair"?

You can use alternatives like "although it was equitable", "even though it was just", or "granted it was reasonable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "while it was fair" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "while it was fair" when you want to concede a point about the justness of something before presenting a contrasting or qualifying statement. It is useful in discussions, debates, and analytical writing where nuanced perspectives are important.

What's the difference between "while it was fair" and "although it was fair"?

The difference between "while it was fair" and "although it was fair" is subtle. "While" can sometimes imply a sense of contrast or simultaneity, whereas "although" primarily indicates concession. In most cases, they are interchangeable.