Cool MateFair vs Reasonable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fair
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Reasonable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Fair
| Fair | Reasonable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fer/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Treating everyone equally and justly. | Fair and sensible; not extreme. |
| Example | The decision was fair and just for everyone involved. | It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, make something, scrupulously, very, absolutely, to be fair, to, be, seem, make something, scrupulously, very, absolutely, to be fair, to | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | unfair, biased, inequitable | unreasonable, irrational, excessive |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fare', which refers to the cost of a ticket., Using 'fair' when meaning 'light-skinned', instead of using 'fair-skinned'. | Confused with 'rational' which is more about logic than fairness., Using 'reasonable' to describe an extreme opinion or action., Incorrectly spelling it as 'resonable'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fair' to describe situations or actions that are just and equitable. It's appropriate in most contexts including discussions about justice, games, and competitions. Avoid using it in overly formal or legal contexts where 'equitable' might be better. | Typically used to describe actions, opinions, or decisions that are logical. Avoid in overly emotional contexts or when discussing extreme views. |
Frequently asked questions: Fair vs Reasonable
What's the difference between Fair and Reasonable?
Fair: Treating everyone equally and justly. Reasonable: Fair and sensible; not extreme.
Which is more common: Fair and Reasonable?
Fair is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Fair and Reasonable?
Reasonable is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Fair and Reasonable the same CEFR level?
Fair: A2, Reasonable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Fair and Reasonable?
Fair: adjective, Reasonable: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Fair: The decision was fair and just for everyone involved. Reasonable: It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time.
Can I use Fair and Reasonable interchangeably?
Not always. Fair and Reasonable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.