are pretty quick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are pretty quick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that happens or is done in a short amount of time, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The responses from the customer service team are pretty quick, which I appreciate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Still, most are pretty quick.

The New York Times - Food

"We knew we had four lines, some guys who are pretty quick".

The New York Times - Sports

I soon find out that while that might be an exaggeration they are pretty quick.

The Guardian - Travel

"Usually the trains are pretty quick and not very crowded," he said.

The New York Times

"You get a lot of tourists here and the club are pretty quick to hit back at bad behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

With these two strikers they are pretty quick and calm enough to wait for situations, they defend with eight people leaving these two strikers always in dangerous positions so you need a perfect protection for all your attacking moments.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That was pretty quick.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That's pretty quick in our view.

The New York Times

AS TURNAROUNDS go, this was pretty quick.

The Economist

"It was pretty quick," says Maliphant, grinning.

The Guardian

They're pretty quick about getting your food.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes, supplement "are pretty quick" with specifics; for example, specify that the process is quick 'compared to industry standards' or 'for its complexity'.

Common error

Avoid using "are pretty quick" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "are relatively fast" or "are notably efficient" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are pretty quick" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its speed or efficiency. Ludwig shows that the phrase is frequently used to describe the speed of processes, actions, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sport

23%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Books

2%

TV & Radio

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are pretty quick" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes something as moderately fast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for informal to neutral contexts like news articles and casual conversations, but should be avoided in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using alternatives such as "are fairly fast" or "are relatively fast" for more formal situations. The phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media", "Sport" and "Lifestyle" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are fairly fast

Replaces "pretty" with "fairly", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

are quite speedy

Substitutes "quick" with "speedy" and "pretty" with "quite", offering a slightly different emphasis on speed.

are rather rapid

Replaces "pretty" with "rather" and "quick" with "rapid", resulting in a more formal and emphatic tone.

are notably swift

Uses "notably" instead of "pretty" and "swift" in place of "quick", increasing the level of formality and emphasis.

are surprisingly prompt

Emphasizes unexpected quickness by using "surprisingly prompt" instead of "pretty quick".

are remarkably efficient

Focuses on efficiency rather than just speed, suggesting quickness combined with effectiveness.

move at a brisk pace

Shifts the focus to the pace of movement, implying quickness through active motion.

operate with considerable speed

Highlights the operational aspect, indicating quickness in performing actions or tasks.

demonstrate considerable agility

Focuses on agility, suggesting quickness combined with nimbleness and adaptability.

are known for their velocity

Highlights the characteristic of velocity or speed, providing a more scientific or technical connotation.

FAQs

What does "are pretty quick" mean?

The phrase "are pretty quick" means that something happens or is done in a short amount of time, faster than average but not extremely fast.

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

You can use alternatives like "are fairly fast", "are quite speedy", or "are rather rapid" depending on the context.

Is "are pretty quick" formal or informal?

The phrase "are pretty quick" leans towards the informal side. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "are relatively fast" or "are notably swift".

When is it appropriate to use "are pretty quick" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "are pretty quick" in casual or semi-formal writing contexts where you want to convey that something is done relatively quickly without being overly emphatic. Avoid it in highly formal or academic settings.