Fairs vs. Fares – Which is Correct?

Both “fairs” and “fares” are correct words in English, but they have distinct meanings and uses. “Fairs” typically refers to public exhibitions or events, or to a just and equitable treatment. “Fares” refers to the money paid for a journey or the food and drink provided.

Fairs or Fares – Which is Correct?

“Fairs” and “fares” are homophones, meaning they sound alike but are spelled differently and have entirely separate meanings. The confusion between them stems purely from their identical pronunciation. Understanding the context in which each word is used is key to choosing the correct one.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A simple trick to remember the difference is to associate “fairs” with “affairs” or “festivals,” both of which refer to events. For “fares,” think of “travel” and the money you pay for a ticket, like “bus fares” or “air fares.” The ‘e’ in “fares” can remind you of “expense” or “economy” when traveling.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Fairs	Noun, Adjective	Public exhibitions; just or equitable (plural of “fair”).	The county fairs are always popular in summer.
Fares	Noun, Verb	Money paid for a journey; food and drink; to perform in a specified way.	Train fares have increased significantly this year.

How to Use Fairs

“Fairs” is the plural form of the noun “fair,” which has several distinct meanings. Primarily, it refers to a gathering of people for trade, entertainment, or education, such as a county fair, a job fair, or a book fair. It can also refer to an exhibition or market. As an adjective, “fair” means just, equitable, or beautiful, and “fairs” would not be used in this context directly, but rather as part of a plural noun phrase (e.g., “fair decisions”). The tone is generally neutral and descriptive.

Example 1: Many artisans showcased their crafts at the annual renaissance fairs.

Example 2: The city hosts several tech fairs each year to connect startups with investors.

Example 3: Despite the rain, attendance at all the agricultural fairs remained high.

What are the different forms of Fairs?

As a noun, “fairs” is the plural form of “fair.” The singular form is “fair.”

• Singular Noun: fair (e.g., “a country fair”)
• Plural Noun: fairs (e.g., “many country fairs”)

When “fair” is used as an adjective, it does not have a plural form. Instead, it can have comparative and superlative forms: fair, fairer, fairest (e.g., “a fair deal,” “a fairer outcome,” “the fairest judge”).

Etymology of the word Fairs

The word “fair” (as in a market or festival) comes from the Old French “feire,” which itself derived from the Latin “feria,” meaning “holiday, festival.” This root is also connected to the English word “ferial,” referring to weekdays. The adjective “fair” (meaning just or beautiful) has a separate etymology, originating from the Old English “fæger,” meaning “beautiful, pleasant, attractive.”

How to Use Fares

“Fares” can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it most commonly refers to the money paid for a journey on public transport, such as bus fares, train fares, or taxi fares. It can also refer to a passenger, especially on a public conveyance. Less commonly, it can mean food and drink. As a verb, “to fare” means to get on or perform in a specified way (e.g., “How did you fare on your exam?”), or to travel.

Example 1: Public transport fares are expected to increase next quarter.

Example 2: The airline offers reduced fares for early bookings.

Example 3: The team did not fare well in the second half of the game.

What are the different forms of Fares?

As a noun, “fares” is the plural form of “fare.” The singular form is “fare.”

• Singular Noun: fare (e.g., “a bus fare”)
• Plural Noun: fares (e.g., “bus fares”)

As a verb, “fare” conjugates regularly:

• Base Form: fare (e.g., “I fare well”)
• Past Tense: fared (e.g., “He fared poorly”)
• Past Participle: fared (e.g., “They have fared better”)
• Present Participle: faring (e.g., “She is faring well”)
• Third Person Singular Present: fares (e.g., “It fares well”)

Etymology of the word Fares

The word “fare” comes from the Old English “faran,” meaning “to journey, travel, go.” This root is also related to the German “fahren” and the Old Norse “fara.” The sense of “money paid for a journey” developed from the idea of the journey itself, and later, the person taking the journey (a passenger). The meaning of “food” is derived from the idea of provisions for a journey or a meal.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader linguistic concepts can significantly help in distinguishing between commonly confused words like “fairs” and “fares.”

• Homophones: These are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. “Fairs” and “fares” are classic examples of homophones, along with others like “to, too, two” or “there, their, they’re.”
• Parts of Speech: Recognizing whether a word is a noun, verb, or adjective helps clarify its role in a sentence. “Fairs” is primarily a plural noun, while “fares” can be both a plural noun and a verb, which influences how they are used grammatically.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “All the fun of the fairs, and a lot of the profit, too.” – A common phrase referring to the excitement and commercial aspect of public exhibitions.
• “The city’s transport fares are among the highest in the country.” – From a news report discussing public transportation costs.
• “How did she fare through the difficult ordeal?” – A question from a novel inquiring about someone’s experience or performance.
• “The author attended numerous book fairs to promote her new release.” – An article about a writer’s promotional tour.
• “Travelers must pay their fares before boarding the bus.” – A sign seen on public transportation.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The children loved riding the carousel at the summer _____.
2. How did your interview _____? I hope it went well!
3. Many countries hold international trade _____ to showcase their products.
4. The taxi _____ from the airport to the hotel was quite expensive.
5. Despite the challenges, the small business continues to _____ well.

Answer Key

1. fairs
2. fare
3. fairs
4. fare
5. fare

Fairs Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Expositions	Large public exhibitions of art, industry, or agriculture.
Festivals	Days or periods of celebration, often with public entertainments.
Markets	Places where products are bought and sold.
Carnivals	Public entertainments, often with rides and games.

Fares Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Tickets	Vouchers or receipts for passage on public transport.
Charges	Prices demanded for goods or services.
Rates	Fixed prices or charges for something.
Payments	Amounts of money paid.
Manage (verb)	To succeed in doing or dealing with something.
Perform (verb)	To carry out, accomplish, or fulfill an action or function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “fare” be used to refer to food?
Yes, “fare” can refer to food and drink, especially of a particular type. For example, “traditional pub fare” means the typical food served in a pub.

Question 2: Is “fair” ever a verb?
No, the word “fair” as in just or an event is not used as a verb in modern English. The verb form is “to fare,” meaning to get along or perform.

Question 3: What’s the easiest way to remember which word means a public event?
Remember that “fairs” (with an ‘i’) often refers to public events or exhibitions, similar to how “affairs” (also with an ‘i’) can mean matters or events. “Fares” (with an ‘e’) is linked to travel expenses, like the ‘e’ in expense.

Conclusion

While “fairs” and “fares” sound identical, their meanings and applications are entirely separate. “Fairs” typically refers to public gatherings, exhibitions, or the plural of “fair” as an adjective for justice. “Fares” refers to the cost of travel, food, or how one performs. Mastering their distinct uses enhances clarity and precision in communication. Pro Tip: Always double-check homophones in your writing; a simple mistake can significantly alter your message and impact your professional reputation.