are pretty different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are pretty different" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare two or more things that have notable differences. Example: "The two proposals are pretty different in terms of budget and scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But our internal struggles are pretty different.

The Guardian - Music

We are pretty different franchises in some ways, but we're both winning games".

The New York Times - Sports

But we live in Chicago, and our lives are pretty different from a lot of the guys we encounter here.

The New York Times

"Mr Gove's politics and mine are pretty different but the view he has put forward is right.

Independent

"We turned to the staff and said, 'Would you be comfortable?' To a person, the folks who responded said, 'Our values are pretty different, but we have a lot of respect for what The American Conservative does journalistically.' " What they lack in ideological viewpoint, the two nonprofit monthlies make up for in an independent, establishment-bucking mind-set.

The New York Times

The corresponding results show that the representations made by Swarm and IRI are pretty different for both quiet and disturbed periods, independently of the chosen IRI topside option.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

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Vice

It's pretty different.

The Guardian - Arts

"They're pretty different.

The Guardian - Sport

That will be pretty different.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shooting it must have been pretty different.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are pretty different" to indicate a noticeable but not extreme level of dissimilarity. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are pretty different" when the subjects are fundamentally the same. Instead, reserve it for situations where real and meaningful distinctions exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are pretty different" functions as a comparative descriptor, highlighting distinctions between two or more subjects. Ludwig's examples show this phrase in use across diverse contexts, emphasizing noticeable, though not necessarily extreme, differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are pretty different" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that two or more things exhibit noticeable differences. Ludwig's analysis reveals its frequent use in news and media, science, and general contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or scientific writing. Remember to use "are" with plural subjects and "is" with singular ones. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ significantly

Emphasizes a substantial degree of dissimilarity.

are quite dissimilar

Uses a more formal tone to indicate differences.

are markedly distinct

Highlights clear and noticeable differences.

contrast sharply

Focuses on the opposing nature of the subjects being compared.

are noticeably disparate

Indicates a clear separation or divergence.

bear little resemblance

Stresses the lack of similarity between the subjects.

diverge substantially

Highlights the significant departure from a common point.

show considerable variance

Emphasizes the degree of variation between the subjects.

stand in stark contrast

Highlights a very strong difference between subjects being compared.

exhibit notable differences

Highlights the quality of exhibiting differences worthy of noting.

FAQs

How can I use "are pretty different" in a sentence?

Use "are pretty different" to compare two or more subjects that possess noticeable distinctions. For example, "Their approaches to solving the problem "are pretty different", but both are effective".

What's the difference between "are pretty different" and "are very different"?

"Are very different" indicates a greater degree of dissimilarity than "are pretty different". The latter suggests a moderate level of distinction, while the former implies a more significant divergence.

Which is correct, "are pretty different" or "is pretty different"?

Use "are pretty different" when referring to plural subjects. Use "is pretty different" when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The two options "are pretty different"" versus "This option "is pretty different"".

What can I say instead of "are pretty different"?

You can use alternatives like "differ significantly", "are quite dissimilar", or "are markedly distinct" depending on the context.