a pretty common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pretty common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is frequently encountered or widely accepted in a particular context. Example: "Using emojis in text messages has become a pretty common practice among teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a pretty common situation.

The Guardian - Books

"It's become a pretty common thing now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This is a pretty common opinion in Russia".

The New York Times

"Palmer is a pretty common name," he said.

The New York Times

Then I'll say: "That's a pretty common answer.

The New York Times

Well, Slobodan Milosevic is a pretty common name in Serbia.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's a pretty common thing for volunteer departments nationwide".

The New York Times

That was a pretty common configuration for Butler roommates during my time there — the late '80s.

Princeton University

"There's a pretty common theme for anglers who get excited about carp," Rice said.

The New York Times - Sports

Abusing you seems to be a pretty common offense around here".

The New York Times - Books

The line is a pretty common trope in conversations around parenting and discipline.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pretty common" to describe situations, opinions, or occurrences that are frequently encountered or generally accepted. It adds a slightly informal tone to your writing.

Common error

While "pretty" works as an intensifier, relying on it too often can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using stronger adjectives or adverbs for greater impact. For example, instead of "a pretty common problem", try "a widespread problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pretty common" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing a noun. It indicates that something is fairly frequent or generally known. As shown by Ludwig, it appears in diverse contexts to characterize various phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pretty common" is grammatically correct and widely used to describe something that is fairly frequent or generally known. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability across various contexts, though it's more suited for neutral or slightly informal settings. While highly prevalent in News & Media, its usage also extends to Academia. If a more formal tone is desired, alternatives like "a fairly typical" or "a relatively standard" may be considered. While "pretty" is acceptable, using it to often as an intensifier may result in your work being less sophisticated. Given its frequency and general acceptance, "a pretty common" remains a versatile and practical choice for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly typical

Replaces "common" with "typical" and "pretty" with "fairly", softening the emphasis slightly.

a relatively standard

Substitutes "common" with "standard" and "pretty" with "relatively", indicating something conforms to a norm.

a quite ordinary

Uses "ordinary" instead of "common" and "quite" instead of "pretty", suggesting something is unremarkable.

a generally prevalent

Replaces "common" with "prevalent" and "pretty" with "generally", highlighting widespread occurrence.

a largely widespread

Replaces "common" with "widespread" and "pretty" with "largely", emphasizing broad distribution.

a reasonably frequent

Substitutes "common" with "frequent" and "pretty" with "reasonably", indicating consistent occurrence.

a fairly routine

Uses "routine" instead of "common" and "fairly" instead of "pretty", suggesting something is part of regular practice.

a somewhat typical

Replaces "pretty common" with "somewhat typical", indicating a moderate level of typicality.

a rather usual

Substitutes "common" with "usual" and "pretty" with "rather", suggesting something is expected.

a notably familiar

Uses "familiar" instead of "common" and "notably" instead of "pretty", emphasizing recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "a pretty common" in a sentence?

You can use "a pretty common" to describe something that occurs frequently or is widely known. For example: "Teenage anxiety is "a pretty common occurrence" these days."

What are some alternatives to "a pretty common"?

Some alternatives to "a pretty common" include "a fairly typical", "a relatively standard", or "a quite ordinary" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "pretty" as an intensifier?

Yes, using "pretty" as an intensifier is grammatically correct. However, it's more informal and might not be suitable for formal writing.

What's the difference between "a pretty common" and "a very common"?

"A pretty common" implies something is somewhat frequent but not necessarily extremely so, while "a very common" suggests a higher degree of frequency or prevalence.