student asking question

Can I replace "fair" with "equal"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

No, unfortunately not. Even though "fair" and "equal" are used similarly, they have slightly different meanings. "Fair" means that everyone is treated reasonably in a way that best suits the individual. "Equal" means that everyone gets treated exactly the same, no matter who the person is. "Fairness" is more about how people are treated based on personal circumstances. "Equality" is about making everything the same regardless of personal circumstances. Ex: It's not fair that she gets a bike and I don't! Ex: I want everything to be fair between us. Ex: Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equality for everyone in America. Ex: The children were each given two cookies so everything would be equal.

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