- Similar to I take your point, but..., this phrase concedes that what the other person said is reasonable or understandable (Fair enough) before introducing a contrasting perspective, objection, or limitation (however...).
Explanation
Origin
- Fair enough means that's reasonable or I accept that.
- Combining it with however creates a structure for polite disagreement or qualification.
- Common in everyday conversation and discussions.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
More Direct:
- While that's true, we also need to consider...
- Yes, but the issue is...
Informal/Colloquial:
- Alright, but...
- Okay fine, but... (Can sound slightly reluctant)
Vulgar/Dismissive (Avoid in polite company):
- Big deal, but... (Dismissive)
- Who gives a shit, but... (Very vulgar and dismissive)
Situational Appropriateness
- Suitable for informal and semi-formal conversations.
- It's generally polite and shows you've considered the other person's view before disagreeing or qualifying. Less formal than With all due respect....
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Similar to I take your point, but..., learners might focus on the agreement (Fair enough) and underestimate the importance of the contrasting point introduced by however. The core message is what follows however.
Examples
- You want a higher salary? Fair enough, however, the budget is tight this year.
- Fair enough, you were busy, however, you still missed the deadline.
- Okay, fair enough, that restaurant is closer, however, I heard the food isn't great.
Dialogue
Mark: I think we should go with Supplier A. They're cheaper.
Sarah: Fair enough, they are cheaper, however, Supplier B has a much better track record for reliability and customer service.
Mark: That's a good point. Reliability is important. Let's look at the cost difference again versus potential downtime.
Social Media Examples
- Comment reply: Fair enough, the movie had great visuals, however, the plot was incredibly weak. #MovieReview
- Forum discussion: User1: We should use framework X. User2: Fair enough, it's popular, however, framework Y offers better performance for our specific needs.
- Chat message: You don't want to go out tonight? Fair enough, however, you'll miss Dave's surprise party!
Response Patterns
- Listening to the point made after however.
- Addressing the counter-point: I understand the budget is tight, but my performance...
- Acknowledging the limitation: Yeah, I know I missed the deadline. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The speaker immediately presents their contrasting point or reason after however.
- The conversation then typically focuses on resolving the conflict between the initial point and the counter-point.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used as a response to someone else's statement within a conversation.
Intonation
- Fair enough is usually said with a tone of acceptance or mild concession, often with falling intonation.
- A pause often follows.
- However signals the turn, potentially with slightly increased stress. FAIR eNOUGH, (pause) howEVER...
Generation Differences
- Widely used across most adult generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in most major English-speaking regions (UK, US, Aus, Canada, etc.).