did pretty well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did pretty well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's performance, usually in a slightly positive way. For example: "Even though she was new to the job, she did pretty well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It did pretty well.

The New Yorker

"They did pretty well.

The New York Times - Sports

I did pretty well.

The New York Times

We did pretty well tonight".

The New York Times - Sports

"Until that happened, I did pretty well.

The New York Times

But he did pretty well, considering.

The Economist

As bookers, the blogs did pretty well.

The New York Times - Arts

And he did pretty well with me".

The New York Times

James Monroe did pretty well, and Dwight Eisenhower.

The New York Times

As it turned out, they both did pretty well.

The New Yorker

"I did pretty well in the Des Moines Register poll.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did pretty well" to convey a positive but not overly enthusiastic assessment of performance. It's suitable for situations where expectations were met or slightly exceeded, but not dramatically so.

Common error

Avoid using "did pretty well" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in general communication, it may sound too casual for professional reports or scholarly articles. Choose more formal alternatives like "performed adequately" or "achieved satisfactory results."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did pretty well" functions as a subject complement or adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the quality or extent of an action performed. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, usually conveying a positive but not exceptional outcome. This aligns with Ludwig AI assessment that the phrase is indeed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did pretty well" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a satisfactory or moderately successful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase serves to provide a balanced assessment, more positive than negative, making it a versatile choice for describing achievements without exaggerating them. While suitable for general communication, it should be used with caution in strictly formal or academic settings, where more precise language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fared reasonably well

Substitutes 'did pretty well' with a phrase that highlights a moderate degree of success or progress.

managed quite well

Highlights the element of managing or handling a situation with reasonable success.

performed adequately

Replaces 'did pretty well' with a more formal term, emphasizing a satisfactory but not exceptional performance.

achieved a good outcome

Replaces the original phrase to stress the positive result attained through the action.

excelled to some extent

Indicates a degree of excelling or surpassing expectations, but not completely.

made a decent effort

Focuses on the effort made, implying that the result was satisfactory for the level of effort applied.

progressed nicely

Highlights the element of progression to suggest that the subject progressed nicely and achieved the target set.

competed successfully

This alternative indicates that the subject competed successfully and achieved the target set.

handled skillfully

This alternative indicates a demonstration of competence.

came through

This alternative focuses on the subject ability to solve a problem/challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "did pretty well" in a sentence?

You can use "did pretty well" to describe someone's performance or achievement. For example, "Despite the challenges, she "did pretty well" on the exam."

What are some alternatives to "did pretty well"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "performed adequately", "fared reasonably well", or "achieved a good outcome".

Is "did pretty well" appropriate for formal writing?

While "did pretty well" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for formal writing. Consider using more professional phrases like "performed satisfactorily" or "achieved success" in such contexts.

What's the difference between "did pretty well" and "did very well"?

"Did pretty well" suggests a moderate level of success, while "did very well" indicates a higher degree of achievement. The choice depends on how successful the person or thing actually was.