is pretty common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is pretty common' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to make general statements about the frequency of a given occurrence. For example, "Using slang in casual conversations is pretty common."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

This reaction is pretty common.

The New York Times

That is pretty common here.

The Guardian

"This is pretty common in English.

The New York Times

We think it is pretty common.

The Guardian - Tech

"Panic, even hysteria, is pretty common, too".

The New York Times

This is pretty common with chefs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

That's pretty common.

The New Yorker

It's pretty common.

Harvard University

It's pretty common, however.

The New York Times

— are pretty common across the sexes.

Princeton University

It's pretty common currency of thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty common" when you want to indicate that something happens or exists frequently and is not unusual. It's suitable for general statements and informal contexts.

Common error

While "is pretty common" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "is prevalent" or "is frequently observed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty common" functions as a descriptive predicate, attributing the characteristic of being frequent or widespread to a subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct way to express that something occurs often.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is pretty common" serves as a straightforward way to indicate that something occurs frequently or is not unusual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While prevalent in news and media, as well as academia, its slightly informal tone due to the word "pretty" makes it versatile for various registers. When aiming for a more formal style, alternatives like "is fairly typical" or "is frequently observed" may be preferable. To summarize, "is pretty common" is widely used and easy to understand, offering a convenient means of expressing commonality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fairly typical

Replaces "pretty common" with "fairly typical", suggesting a standard or expected occurrence.

is quite usual

Substitutes "pretty common" with "quite usual", indicating ordinariness.

is rather widespread

Replaces "pretty common" with "rather widespread", emphasizing broad distribution or prevalence.

is broadly observed

Substitutes "pretty common" with "broadly observed", focusing on frequent noticing or recognition.

is frequently encountered

Replaces "pretty common" with "frequently encountered", highlighting regular experience or discovery.

is often seen

Substitutes "pretty common" with "often seen", indicating regular visibility or observation.

is widely prevalent

Replaces "pretty common" with "widely prevalent", emphasizing extensive presence or influence.

is generally accepted

Substitutes "pretty common" with "generally accepted", focusing on widespread agreement or belief.

is a regular occurrence

Replaces "pretty common" with "is a regular occurrence", indicating frequent happening.

is nothing new

Substitutes "pretty common" with "is nothing new", downplaying novelty due to familiarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "is pretty common" to describe something that occurs frequently or is widely seen. For example, "It is pretty common to see people using smartphones these days".

What are some alternatives to "is pretty common"?

Alternatives include "is fairly typical", "is quite usual", or "is rather widespread", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is pretty common" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable in informal contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "is prevalent" or "is frequently observed" in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "is pretty common" and "is very common"?

"Is very common" implies a higher frequency or wider occurrence than "is pretty common". The choice depends on the degree of commonality you want to express.