To be fair means to give a balanced view: you add a detail that softens your judgement. The service was slow, but, to be fair, only two people were working. It's extremely common in casual British speech. Fair enough is different: OK, that's reasonable, in reply to someone's explanation.
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To be fair, + statement; but, to be fair, + statement
- The service was slow, but, to be fair, only two people were working.
- To be fair, the instructions were clearer than I expected.
- He missed a detail, but he had very little time, to be fair.
What changed
First versionTo be fairly, the team had only one day to prepare.
RevisionTo be fair, the team had only one day to prepare.
To be fairly can seem more correct, as if the phrase describes how you're speaking. But be needs an adjective: to be fair, just like to be honest. Fairly means quite: fairly good.
To be honest means you're admitting your own opinion. To be fair means you're standing up for the other side. Fair enough means OK, I accept that, in reply to someone's point.
Your turn
Complete the phrase that introduces a fairer judgment: To be ___, nobody had explained the new rule.
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fair — After be you need the adjective fair. Fairly is an adverb meaning quite, and it doesn't make an introductory phrase.
Complain about a café, trip or service, then add a detail in its defence. Use to be fair.
The room was small, but, to be fair, it was much cheaper than the other options.
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