is pretty close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is near to a certain point or level, often in terms of accuracy or similarity. Example: "The estimate you provided is pretty close to the actual cost of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Westwood is pretty close.

The Guardian - Sport

"But this is pretty close," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone onstage is pretty close to perfect.

The New York Times

It is pretty close to one now".

The New York Times

The tribunal story is pretty close.

The Guardian - Books

That is pretty close to a 'yes'yes

The Guardian

Not bad, you think: 2 is pretty close to 1.5.

The New York Times

Observations made since 1998 suggest that w is pretty close to -1.

The Economist

My analysis is pretty close to the Centre's; let me restate it.

The New York Times

And that is pretty close to Tuesday's headline number of 16.4 million.

The New Yorker

The Falcons may no longer be perfect, but their tight end is pretty close.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty close" to indicate an approximation or near-likeness when absolute precision is not required or known. This phrase is versatile and suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty" excessively as it can weaken your writing. If the level of closeness is significant, consider stronger alternatives like "nearly" or "almost" to convey greater precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty close" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is near to a certain state, value, or condition. Ludwig examples show it describing physical proximity, numerical approximation, or similarity in characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is pretty close" is a versatile expression used to indicate an approximation or near similarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While useful for conveying a sense of nearness without implying exactness, avoid overusing "pretty" to maintain the impact of your writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "nearly" or "almost" when greater precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is close enough

Indicates that the degree of proximity or similarity is sufficient for a given purpose.

is quite near

Emphasizes nearness in a literal or figurative sense; slightly more formal.

is fairly similar to

Highlights similarity while acknowledging potential differences; less emphatic.

is nearly equivalent

Focuses on equivalence rather than physical proximity; suitable for abstract concepts.

is reasonably accurate

Focuses on the accuracy of a measurement or statement, implying it's acceptably close.

is almost identical

Highlights a very high degree of similarity, bordering on being the same.

is in the vicinity of

Indicates being nearby, often physically, but can also be numerical.

is on the verge of

Implies nearing a specific state or event, often with a sense of anticipation.

is approximately equal to

Emphasizes numerical or measurable equivalence with a degree of estimation.

is getting there

Suggests progress toward a goal or state of completion; more colloquial.

FAQs

How can I use "is pretty close" in a sentence?

You can use "is pretty close" to describe something that is near to a certain value or condition. For instance, "The estimated cost "is pretty close" to the actual expenses" or "Her explanation "is pretty close" to what really happened".

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

Alternatives to "is pretty close" include "is quite near", "is nearly equivalent", or "is fairly similar to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is pretty close" or "is very close"?

Both "is pretty close" and "is very close" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Is very close" suggests a greater degree of proximity than "is pretty close". The choice depends on the level of accuracy you want to communicate.

What's the difference between "is pretty close" and "is almost identical"?

"Is pretty close" implies a general nearness or similarity, while "is almost identical" suggests a much higher degree of similarity, bordering on being the same. The key difference lies in the degree of approximation conveyed.