Fair vs Fare
Published January 23, 2023. Updated January 23, 2023.
Fair and fare are two words that sound the same but have different meanings. Fair is an adjective that describes something or someone who is “in line with set standards or regulations.” On the other hand, fare is a noun that refers to “the money paid by a passenger on public transportation.”
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Fair (adjective)
In line with set standards or regulations.
Examples:
I filed a complaint to the department chair because I believed that my professor’s grading policies were not fair.
It is always important to be fair to others, especially when working with the public.
When you use the word fair, think of ideas related to treatment, rules, or regulations. These are typically the ideas that are related to the concept of fairness.
Fare (noun)
The money paid by a passenger on public transport.
Examples:
As inflation has increased, it is surprising that bus fares have not gone up with the other prices.
In some areas, it is possible to get a waiver for transportation fares based on your income.
Think of a fare as a fee. If you need help remembering this, think of how “fare” and “fee” both start with “f” and end with “e.”
Main Points
- Fair is an adjective that describes something that is in line with the set rules.
- Fare is a noun that refers to a fee paid for public transportation.
- When differentiating between words, think of how they encompass different parts of speech, as well as the words that they are often attached to.