are pretty fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are pretty fast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the speed of something in a casual or informal context. Example: "The new internet connection and the upgraded router are pretty fast, allowing for seamless streaming and gaming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Speed is no longer a consideration; most models are pretty fast.

The New York Times - Tech

We'll definitely want to train with them a bit more, but they'll definitely want to train with us, too, because we are pretty fast".

The New York Times - Sports

We've learned a lot and improved the app also, but the devices these days are pretty fast.

TechCrunch

I'll be doing so, because sports are pretty fast paced and it'll probably make me puke, which will be a great story, and we've already tried to watch a soccer game in VR.

TechCrunch

After the game, Brandon Graham, who played with Robinson at Michigan in 2009 and now plays with Michael Vick on the Philadelphia Eagles told reporters that Robinson is even quicker than Vick: "Both of them are pretty fast, I just think Vick's older; he's not really that fast like how Shoelace is.

Wikipedia

Mice are pretty fast, and chasing them around the house usually isn't the best way to catch them and remove them.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That's pretty fast".

The New York Times

"It's pretty fast".

The New York Times

He's pretty fast".

The Guardian - Sport

That's pretty fast, huh?

The Guardian - Sport

I'm pretty fast sideways.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are pretty fast" in contexts where a slightly informal tone is appropriate, such as describing the performance of everyday devices or athletes in sports commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "are pretty fast" in highly formal documents or academic papers where more precise or technical language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "are quite rapid" or "exhibit considerable pace" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are pretty fast" functions as an adjective phrase used to attribute a characteristic of speed or quickness to a subject. It modifies nouns by describing their velocity, as Ludwig examples demonstrate across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are pretty fast" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to describe the speed of something. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability in many contexts. While its register is neutral to informal, making it less suited for strictly formal or academic writing, it's common in news, media and general conversation. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "are quite quick" or "are fairly rapid".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are quite quick

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", indicating a slightly more formal tone and emphasis on speed.

are fairly rapid

Substitutes "fast" with "rapid" and "pretty" with "fairly", offering a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary choice.

are reasonably speedy

Uses "speedy" instead of "fast" and "reasonably" instead of "pretty", presenting a slightly more nuanced description of speed.

move at a good clip

An idiomatic expression indicating fast movement or progress, differing in structure from the original phrase.

operate with considerable speed

Replaces the adjective phrase with a more formal, verb-centric construction emphasizing speed of operation.

are known for their velocity

Shifts the focus to inherent velocity as a characteristic, using a more scientific or technical term.

exhibit considerable pace

Employs "pace" instead of "speed" and "exhibit" for a more formal tone, altering the original structure.

demonstrate high-speed capability

Uses a noun phrase to emphasize the capability of high speed, significantly changing the wording.

are characterized by swiftness

Replaces the simple adjective phrase with a descriptive statement about swiftness.

possess a notable quickness

Focuses on the quality of quickness, using a more abstract noun instead of a direct adjective.

FAQs

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

You can use "are pretty fast" to describe the speed of something, like "These new computers "are pretty fast", which makes our work much easier".

What's a more formal way to say "are pretty fast"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "are quite quick" or "are fairly rapid" which maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

Is "are pretty fast" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "are pretty fast" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise language such as "exhibit considerable pace" or "demonstrate high-speed capability".

What does "are pretty fast" imply about the speed being described?

The phrase suggests that something is faster than average, but not necessarily the absolute fastest. It indicates a noticeable and satisfactory level of speed.