• Fair (just or reasonable) – Adjective

• Fair (a public event with rides and games) – Noun

Pronunciation

These words are homonyms, meaning they are spelled the same, sound the same, but have different meanings.

• Fair (adjective): Pronounced /feər/ (FEHR) — Just or reasonable.

• Fair (noun): Pronounced /feər/ (FEHR) — A public event with rides and games.

Listen to the audio. Notice how the pronunciation is the same, but the meaning changes based on context.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Fair (just or reasonable):

• The judge made a fair decision based on the evidence.
  (Stress “fair” to highlight the reasonableness of the decision.)

• It is only fair that you return the favor.
  (Highlight “fair” to emphasize justice or equality.)

• Everyone should be treated fairly in the competition.
  (Stress “fair” to focus on equality and fairness.)

Fair (a public event with rides and games):

• They went to the fair to enjoy the rides.
  (Stress “fair” to focus on the event or activity.)

• The fair is held every summer in our town.
  (Highlight “fair” to emphasize the event itself.)

• We visited the fair and played games all afternoon.
  (Stress “fair” to show the specific location of the event.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Fair (just or reasonable):

• Fair decision: Refers to a just or reasonable conclusion.
  Tip: Stress “fair” to emphasize justice.
  Sentence: The judge made a fair decision regarding the case.

• Fair treatment: Refers to equal treatment or justice.
  Tip: Stress “fair” to focus on equality.
  Sentence: We expect fair treatment for everyone involved.

• Fair play: Refers to honesty or fairness in competition.
  Tip: Stress “fair” to highlight ethical conduct.
  Sentence: Fair play is essential in all games and sports.

Fair (a public event with rides and games):

• County fair: Refers to a local event with rides, games, and food.
  Tip: Highlight “county” to specify the type of fair.
  Sentence: We visited the county fair last weekend.

• State fair: Refers to a larger regional event.
  Tip: Stress “state” to emphasize the larger scale of the event.
  Sentence: The state fair featured an exciting variety of performances.

• Carnival fair: Refers to a traveling fair with amusement rides.
  Tip: Stress “carnival” to emphasize the mobile nature of the event.
  Sentence: The carnival fair came to town last month.

Things to Remember

The word "fair" is used in different contexts:

• Fair (just or reasonable): Often paired with phrases like fair decision, fair treatment, or fair play.
  Example: The fair treatment of all workers is essential in the company.

• Fair (a public event with rides and games): Commonly used with terms like county fair, state fair, or carnival fair.
  Example: The state fair had all kinds of rides and games for everyone.