Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

A:
When 'fair' means 'treating everyone in a way that is right or equal' or judgment seems reasonable, acceptable, and right', could we use 'just' instead of 'fair'? e.g.

1.It's not fair/just that she's allowed to go and I'm not!

2.'Life isn't always fair/just.'

3.'The old law wasn't fair/just to women.'

4.'It's not fair/just! Why should she always have first choice?

5.'I thought it was a fair/just price that she was offering.

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B:
Could we use 'fair' instead of 'just' when 'just' means 'morally right'? e.g.

1.'The judge's sentence was perfectly just/fair in the circumstances.'

2.'I don't really think he had just/fair cause to complain.'

3.'I don't think you were being just/fair in punishing him but not her.'

4.It's only just/fair that we should get some compensation.

5.A just/fair man

Thank you very much.

[bud]

I think you could get many different answers on this post.

For me, though, I tend to use "just" for bigger principles - things that are decided by legislators or judges, or issues concerning society as a whole.

I tend to use "fair" for everyday kinds of things - sports, traffic court, who got the bigger piece of cake, etc.

[learner1]

Hello bud,

Thank you very much for your opinion on my question. however, I still need to know which of the two words fit better in each of these sentences. Could you please help me with that? And do you mean they have the same meaning but used in different cases?

Thank you very much.

[bud]

[asterix]

It's just not fair that the weather in Topanga Ca, where I am at the moment, is so much better than the weather in Northern Ontario, whence I have fled.

[learner1]

Hello,

Thank you bud and asterix very much for your helpful replies.