he is pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is pretty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone, typically in a positive light, often referring to their physical appearance. Example: "In the fashion show, he is pretty and stands out among the other models."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is pretty funny.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is pretty great".

Independent

"He is pretty relaxed".

Independent

"He is pretty delicious," she added.

The New York Times

"Talent-wise, he is pretty good.

The New York Times - Sports

"He is pretty funny," said Bannister.

Harvard University

He is pretty addicted, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

For a vigilante, he is pretty relaxed.

The New Yorker

He is pretty much me.

The Guardian - Tech

Then again, he is pretty Muppety.

The New Yorker

He is pretty much evil incarnate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is pretty" to describe someone's appearance or qualities in a generally positive way. However, be mindful of the context, as 'pretty' can sometimes be perceived as less impactful than other similar adjectives.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "he is pretty" as it can sound repetitive or less descriptive. Vary your language by using stronger or more specific adjectives to enhance the description and add more detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is pretty" functions as a descriptive statement, where 'he' is the subject, 'is' is the verb, and 'pretty' is the adjective describing a quality of the subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is common and grammatically correct in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is pretty" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone, typically in a positive manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate adjective to convey the intended meaning accurately. Alternatives like "he is attractive" or "he is handsome" may be more suitable in certain situations. Overusing "he is pretty" can lead to repetitive writing, so diversifying your descriptive language is a good practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is quite

Uses 'quite' as an alternative intensifier, suggesting a similar but slightly more formal tone.

he is rather

Replaces 'pretty' with 'rather', indicating a similar degree of intensity.

he is fairly

Substitutes 'pretty' with 'fairly', expressing a moderate degree of the described quality.

he is somewhat

Uses 'somewhat' to indicate a slight or moderate degree of the quality.

he is really

Replaces 'pretty' with 'really' for emphasis, conveying a stronger degree of the quality.

he is very

Uses 'very' instead of 'pretty' to intensify the adjective, implying a higher degree.

he is attractive

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct adjective describing physical appeal.

he is good-looking

Offers a common synonym to describe someone's pleasant appearance.

he is handsome

Provides a more formal and specific adjective for male attractiveness.

he is beautiful

Offers another adjective that describes appearance but provides higher praise.

FAQs

What does "he is pretty" mean?

The phrase "he is pretty" generally means that someone is considered attractive or pleasant to look at. It can also describe qualities beyond physical appearance, such as being agreeable or likable.

What can I say instead of "he is pretty"?

You can use alternatives like "he is attractive", "he is handsome", or "he is good-looking" depending on the context. These alternatives offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Is it appropriate to describe a man as "pretty"?

While "pretty" is more commonly used to describe women, it can be used to describe men, especially to indicate delicate or refined features. However, using alternatives like "handsome" or "attractive" might be more conventional.

What's the difference between "he is pretty" and "he is beautiful"?

"He is pretty" suggests a pleasant or charming appearance, while "he is beautiful" implies a more striking or exceptional attractiveness. "Beautiful" typically conveys a stronger and more profound aesthetic quality.