Absolutely vs Fairly: Differences And Uses For Each One

When it comes to choosing the right word for a sentence, it can be challenging to determine which one to use. Two words that are often used interchangeably are “absolutely” and “fairly.” However, they have different meanings and should be used in specific contexts.

If you’re wondering which of the two is the proper word to use, the answer is that it depends on the situation. “Absolutely” means without a doubt, completely, or totally. It is often used to emphasize a point or to express strong agreement or disagreement. On the other hand, “fairly” means impartially, justly, or moderately. It is used to indicate that something is reasonable or equitable.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and provide examples of when to use each one. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use “absolutely” and “fairly” in your writing.

Define Absolutely

Absolutely is an adverb that means completely, without any doubt, or in every way possible. It is used to emphasize the certainty or completeness of a statement or action. For example, “I absolutely love chocolate” means that the speaker has a strong and unwavering affection for chocolate.

The word absolutely can also be used to express agreement or affirmation. For instance, “Absolutely, I will attend the meeting” means that the speaker is fully committed to attending the meeting.

Define Fairly

Fairly is an adverb that means in a fair or just manner, without bias or favoritism. It is used to indicate that something is reasonable or appropriate. For example, “The teacher graded the exams fairly” means that the teacher evaluated the exams objectively and without prejudice.

The word fairly can also mean to a moderate or considerable extent. For instance, “I am fairly certain that I locked the door” means that the speaker is reasonably confident that the door was locked, but not completely certain.

Additionally, fairly can be used to express a comparison between two things that are similar in some way. For example, “The new restaurant is fairly priced compared to the other restaurants in the area” means that the prices at the new restaurant are similar to those at other restaurants in the same location.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying the intended meaning. In this section, we will explore how to properly use the words “absolutely” and “fairly” in a sentence.

How To Use “Absolutely” In A Sentence

The word “absolutely” is an adverb that is used to emphasize the certainty or completeness of a statement. Here are some examples of how to use “absolutely” in a sentence:

• “I am absolutely certain that I turned off the stove before leaving the house.”
• “The view from the top of the mountain is absolutely breathtaking.”
• “I absolutely love chocolate chip cookies.”

It’s important to note that “absolutely” should not be used to mean “yes” or “okay.” For example, saying “absolutely” in response to a question like “Can you pass me the salt?” would be incorrect.

How To Use “Fairly” In A Sentence

The word “fairly” is an adverb that is used to indicate a moderate degree of something. It can also be used to indicate impartiality or justice. Here are some examples of how to use “fairly” in a sentence:

• “I think I did fairly well on the exam.”
• “The prices at this restaurant are fairly reasonable.”
• “The judge ensured that the trial was conducted fairly.”

It’s important to note that “fairly” should not be used to mean “quite” or “very.” For example, saying “fairly good” would indicate a moderate level of goodness, whereas saying “very good” would indicate a high level of goodness.

More Examples Of Absolutely & Fairly Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “absolutely” and “fairly,” it’s important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using “Absolutely” In A Sentence

• She was absolutely thrilled with the news.
• The team played absolutely brilliantly in the championship game.
• He absolutely refused to give up on his dream.
• I am absolutely certain that we will succeed.
• Her performance was absolutely flawless.
• He was absolutely stunned by the turn of events.
• The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking.
• That’s absolutely ridiculous!
• I am absolutely in love with this new restaurant.
• She is absolutely the best candidate for the job.

Examples Of Using “Fairly” In A Sentence

• The prices at this store are fairly reasonable.
• He was fairly confident that he could complete the project on time.
• The teacher graded the test fairly and objectively.
• The company treats its employees fairly and with respect.
• She was fairly certain that she had seen him before.
• The restaurant’s food is fairly good, but not exceptional.
• The movie received fairly positive reviews from critics.
• He was fairly successful in his career, but never achieved his ultimate goal.
• The team played fairly and with good sportsmanship.
• She was fairly pleased with the outcome of the negotiation.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

While using the words ‘absolutely’ and ‘fairly’ interchangeably may seem harmless, it can lead to miscommunication and confusion. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using ‘Absolutely’ To Mean ‘Fairly’

One of the most common mistakes people make is using ‘absolutely’ to mean ‘fairly’. For example, saying “I think the price is absolutely fair” when you actually mean “I think the price is fairly reasonable”. Using ‘absolutely’ in this context can make the statement sound too extreme and may lead to misunderstandings.

Mistake #2: Using ‘Fairly’ To Mean ‘Absolutely’

On the other hand, using ‘fairly’ to mean ‘absolutely’ can also be misleading. For instance, saying “The food was fairly amazing” when you actually mean “The food was absolutely amazing”. Using ‘fairly’ in this context can make the statement sound less enthusiastic and may not convey the intended meaning.

Mistake #3: Using ‘Absolutely’ And ‘Fairly’ Together

Another mistake people make is using ‘absolutely’ and ‘fairly’ together in a sentence. For example, saying “The service was absolutely fairly good”. This combination can be confusing and unnecessary, as ‘absolutely’ and ‘fairly’ have opposite meanings and cancel each other out.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Be clear about what you want to convey and choose the appropriate word accordingly.
• Use adverbs such as ‘quite’, ‘rather’, or ‘very’ instead of ‘absolutely’ or ‘fairly’ to express the degree of something.
• Read your sentence out loud to see if it sounds right and conveys your intended meaning.
• Get feedback from others to ensure your message is clear and understood.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “absolutely” and “fairly” can depend on the context in which they are used. Both words have their own unique connotations and implications, and selecting the appropriate one can make a significant difference in the meaning and impact of a sentence or statement.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “absolutely” and “fairly” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Appropriate Word Choice
Emphasis	He is absolutely the best candidate for the job.	“Absolutely” is appropriate in this context because it emphasizes the speaker’s strong belief and conviction in the candidate’s suitability for the job.
Comparison	She is fairly good at playing the piano, but her sister is much better.	“Fairly” is appropriate in this context because it implies a moderate level of proficiency in playing the piano, but not as good as her sister.
Assurance	I can absolutely guarantee that the product will meet your expectations.	“Absolutely” is appropriate in this context because it provides a strong assurance and certainty that the product will meet the customer’s expectations.
Qualification	The movie was fairly good, but it was too long.	“Fairly” is appropriate in this context because it qualifies the speaker’s opinion about the movie as being good, but with a negative aspect of being too long.

As demonstrated by these examples, the choice between “absolutely” and “fairly” can significantly impact the meaning and tone of a sentence or statement. It is important to consider the context in which these words are used to ensure that they accurately convey the intended message.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using absolutely and fairly are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where these rules might not apply. In these cases, it’s important to understand the nuances of the language to ensure that you’re using the right word in the right context.

Exceptions For Using Absolutely

One exception to the rule of using absolutely is when the word is used in a sarcastic or ironic way. In these cases, absolutely is used to mean the opposite of what it typically means. For example, if someone says “Oh, absolutely, I love working 80 hours a week,” they are using the word sarcastically to convey that they do not actually love working such long hours.

Another exception to the rule of using absolutely is when the word is used to convey a sense of finality or certainty. In these cases, absolutely is used to emphasize that something is true beyond any doubt. For example, if someone says “I absolutely refuse to compromise on this issue,” they are conveying that their stance on the issue is unwavering and not open to negotiation.

Exceptions For Using Fairly

One exception to the rule of using fairly is when the word is used in a comparative sense. In these cases, fairly is used to indicate that something is more or less true or accurate than something else. For example, if someone says “The first estimate was fairly close, but the second estimate was much more accurate,” they are using fairly to indicate that the first estimate was not quite as accurate as the second estimate.

Another exception to the rule of using fairly is when the word is used to indicate impartiality or neutrality. In these cases, fairly is used to convey that something is being judged objectively and without bias. For example, if someone says “The referee called the game fairly, despite the fact that the home team was clearly favored,” they are indicating that the referee did not allow their personal biases to influence their decisions.

Exceptions To The Rules

Word	Exception	Example
Absolutely	Sarcasm or irony	“Oh, absolutely, I love working 80 hours a week.”
Absolutely	Finality or certainty	“I absolutely refuse to compromise on this issue.”
Fairly	Comparative sense	“The first estimate was fairly close, but the second estimate was much more accurate.”
Fairly	Impartiality or neutrality	“The referee called the game fairly, despite the fact that the home team was clearly favored.”

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between absolutely and fairly, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your usage of these two adverbs:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose either absolutely or fairly to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The movie was ________ terrible. I couldn’t even finish it.
2. I think he’s ________ talented. He’s going to be a star one day.
3. The weather is ________ nice today. Let’s go for a walk.
4. I’m ________ certain that I left my keys on the kitchen counter.
5. She’s ________ upset about the situation. I don’t blame her.

Answer Key:

1. absolutely
2. fairly
3. fairly
4. absolutely
5. fairly

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences by using either absolutely or fairly:

1. She’s ________ confident that she’ll get the job.
2. He’s ________ certain that he can fix the problem.
3. The food at the restaurant was ________ good.
4. I’m ________ sure that we’re going in the right direction.
5. The concert was ________ loud. My ears are still ringing.

Answer Key:

1. absolutely
2. fairly
3. fairly
4. absolutely
5. absolutely

By completing these exercises, you’ll be able to improve your understanding and usage of absolutely and fairly. Remember, absolutely means without exception or qualification, while fairly means to a moderate extent or degree. With practice, you’ll be able to use these two adverbs with confidence and precision.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “absolutely” and “fairly,” it’s clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in different contexts.

Here are the key takeaways:

• “Absolutely” is an absolute term that expresses complete agreement or certainty.
• “Fairly” is a relative term that expresses a moderate degree of agreement or certainty.
• Using “absolutely” when “fairly” is more appropriate can make a statement seem extreme or exaggerated.
• Using “fairly” when “absolutely” is more appropriate can make a statement seem weak or uncertain.

It’s important to be mindful of the language we use and the impact it can have on our communication. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our ability to express ourselves clearly and effectively.