a pretty windy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pretty windy" is not correct in standard English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a situation or condition that is notably windy, but it typically requires a noun to follow, such as "day" or "afternoon." Example: "It was a pretty windy day at the beach, making it difficult to fly kites."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There's no place like home, Dorothy once said, and she lived in a pretty windy place, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You know, I ended with a bogey, but it got pretty windy for the last three or four holes".

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't really anything to batten down the hatches for, but it got pretty windy for a while. .

Vice

Comb and a pin-cushion hair brush Be aware that it can get pretty windy on the cruise, so don't spend 3 hours straightening your hair only to have it frizz up with the weather (bring hair ties to pull it back on deck, and tons of hair spray).

WikiHow

In "End of the Day," Styles recounts a romantic confession on a rooftop but winningly undercuts the drama by adding that it was "pretty windy," so he's not sure she heard.

Los Angeles Times

So, yeah, obviously it's pretty windy out there at the moment, which nobody really enjoys too much, I don't think.

The New York Times

"Right now, in the Twin Cities, in Minneapolis, it's 11 below zero, and it's pretty windy out there — the wind chill is 31 below zero," National Weather Service meteorologist Shawn DeVinny said Sunday night.

Los Angeles Times

A pretty desperate situation.

BMJ Open

(Walking behind a smoker on a windy day is also infuriating).

TechCrunch

Do not build a fire on a windy day.

WikiHow

A windbreaker jacket with a hoodie is very important, because fall can get pretty cold and windy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pretty windy", ensure it's followed by a noun like "day" or "afternoon" to be grammatically sound. For example, "It was a pretty windy day for sailing."

Common error

Avoid using "a pretty windy" as a complete sentence or without a noun following it. This construction can sound incomplete or grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pretty windy" functions as a modifier describing the intensity of wind. Ludwig AI indicates it's not always grammatically correct as a standalone phrase and usually requires a noun to follow.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pretty windy" is used to describe the presence of wind, but, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not always grammatically correct on its own. It typically requires a noun such as "day". Its usage leans towards the informal, appearing in news, wikis, and scientific contexts. Because of potential grammatical issues, alternatives like "quite windy" or "fairly windy" might be preferred for clearer communication. Ensure it's followed by a noun for grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite windy

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", offering a slightly more formal and direct expression of windiness.

fairly windy

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly", indicating a moderate level of windiness.

somewhat windy

Replaces "pretty" with "somewhat", suggesting a slight degree of windiness.

rather windy

Uses "rather" instead of "pretty", conveying a similar degree of windiness with a slightly more formal tone.

a bit windy

Employs "a bit" instead of "pretty", indicating a mild level of windiness.

slightly windy

Replaces "pretty" with "slightly", emphasizing a minimal degree of windiness.

considerably windy

Substitutes "pretty" with "considerably", highlighting a significant level of windiness.

noticeably windy

Uses "noticeably" instead of "pretty", suggesting that the windiness is easily observed.

remarkably windy

Replaces "pretty" with "remarkably", emphasizing an unusual or noteworthy level of windiness.

unusually windy

Substitutes "pretty" with "unusually", indicating that the windiness is atypical or unexpected.

FAQs

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

To use "a pretty windy" correctly, follow it with a noun, such as "day" or "afternoon". For example, "It was "a pretty windy day" for flying a kite".

What are some alternatives to "a pretty windy"?

Alternatives include "quite windy", "fairly windy", or "somewhat windy", depending on the desired level of emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a pretty windy" without a following noun?

Generally, it's better to follow "a pretty windy" with a noun to make the sentence grammatically correct. Without a noun, the phrase sounds incomplete.

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

"A pretty windy day" suggests a noticeable level of wind, while "a very windy day" implies a stronger and potentially more impactful level of wind. "A very windy day" indicates more intensity.