a pretty fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pretty fast" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when describing something that is relatively quick, but it typically requires a noun to follow, such as "a pretty fast car." Example: "She drove a pretty fast car during the race."

News & Media

Sports

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'm a pretty fast healer.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're a pretty fast worker, I'd say".

The New Yorker

That seems like a pretty fast turnover.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Barnett is on a pretty fast trip these days.

The New Yorker

And, at 275 pages, it's a pretty fast one, too.

The New York Times

"We were moving at a pretty fast pace for him.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Asked how his state would comply with the rule on school transfers, Mr. Sneeden said: "North Carolina is a pretty fast-growing state, and we're maxed out now.

The New York Times

"Smart is on the corner of a pretty fast-paced road [East Washington ­Avenue], and Wisconsinites have been known to enjoy a refreshing cocktail," he explains.

The Guardian - Music

Being a film, and a pretty fast-and-cheap one at that, much of the layered detail that Greene inserts into his prose is lost, so in many ways Cockatoo comes across as a pretty rudimentary entertainment.

The Guardian - Film

But it doesn't want the Xerox name to conjure them up, either, given that services — like managing a company's document flow — are a pretty fast-growing part of the product mix, too.

The New York Times

A: Pretty much as fast as it would grow.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pretty fast", ensure it's followed by a noun (e.g., "a pretty fast car") for clarity and grammatical correctness. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "a pretty fast" without a noun. While understandable in informal speech, it's better to use "pretty fast" as an adverb modifying a verb or add a noun to complete the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pretty fast" functions primarily as a pre-modifier in a noun phrase. It adds descriptive detail, specifying the degree of speed associated with the noun it precedes. Ludwig AI suggests it is better when followed by a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Technology

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pretty fast" is a common phrase used to describe something moving or progressing at a relatively high speed. Ludwig AI explains that although generally acceptable, it's better when followed by a noun to avoid ambiguity. Its usage is most frequent in news, sports, and technology contexts. While not highly formal, it provides a neutral way to convey the idea of something being faster than average. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "fairly quick" or "reasonably fast". Ensure you complete the phrase with a noun to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly quick

Replaces "pretty" with "fairly", softening the emphasis on speed.

a reasonably fast

Substitutes "pretty" with "reasonably", indicating a moderate level of speed.

a quite rapid

Uses "quite" instead of "pretty" and "rapid" instead of "fast", offering a more formal tone.

a relatively speedy

Replaces "pretty" with "relatively" and "fast" with "speedy", suggesting speed is compared to something else.

a considerably swift

Employs "considerably" for greater emphasis and "swift" as a more literary alternative.

a noticeably quick

Highlights that the speed is easily observed or apparent.

an impressively fast

Adds a sense of admiration or approval to the speed.

a remarkably rapid

Suggests that the speed is unusual or exceptional.

a surprisingly fast

Indicates that the speed was unexpected.

an unexpectedly quick

Similar to "surprisingly fast" but with a slightly different nuance in tone.

FAQs

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

Use "a pretty fast" followed by a noun, like "a pretty fast car" or "a pretty fast runner". For example: "She drives "a pretty fast car" on the highway."

What are some alternatives to "a pretty fast"?

Consider using alternatives such as "fairly quick", "reasonably fast", or "quite rapid" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say just "a pretty fast" without a noun?

While it's understandable in informal speech, it's grammatically better to include a noun after "a pretty fast" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "That was a pretty fast", say "That was "a pretty fast time"".

What's the difference between "a pretty fast" and "pretty fast"?

"A pretty fast" is typically used before a noun (e.g., "a pretty fast pace"), while "pretty fast" can be used as an adverb modifying a verb (e.g., "He runs pretty fast").