is pretty formal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty formal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the level of formality of a particular statement, document, or situation. Example: "The language used in the report is pretty formal, which is appropriate for a business setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But blurring the lines is part of the attraction, says 23-year-old Quillén: "Marriage is pretty formal nowadays, and I've come here because I've never been to a 'real' wedding.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"How to hell are you?" That was pretty formal and respectful compared to the reception Addison would have given an uncrowned intimate.

The New Yorker

The Golden Globes are pretty formal, all about film and television, of course.

Huffington Post

When I went to her house, the experience was pretty formal.

Huffington Post

The basic formal holiday attire is pretty simple.

WikiHow

The strategy is pretty clear: almost every piece in the exhibition, whatever its form — and there is a great variety of formal approaches —pertains to a social issue.

The New York Times - Arts

Initially that was the case, but now it seems to have pretty wide appeal and I think that's because people realize that sending a resume is pretty formal…you wouldn't just send a resume to someone you just met to show your work experience.

TechCrunch

A strip of wood is pretty flexible.

Interactive QuickTime Authoring wired media

It is pretty straightforward to use.

Embedded Systems Design Using the TI MSP430 Series

The linkage is pretty compelling.

Health Research Policy and Systems

So this is pretty close.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty formal" when you want to describe something as having a moderate level of formality without being overly rigid or ceremonial.

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty formal" when describing situations that are exceptionally formal; instead, opt for phrases like "is highly formal" or "is strictly formal" to accurately reflect the level of ceremony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty formal" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and describes the degree of formality of a subject, indicating that something possesses a noticeable yet not extreme level of formality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty formal" serves as a useful way to describe situations, events, or language that exhibit a moderate level of formality. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly used. While not as strong as "is very formal", it is more descriptive than "is a bit formal". Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, scientific publications, and general discussions, as illustrated by the provided examples. When using the phrase, it is important to consider whether other alternatives like "is quite formal" or "is somewhat formal" would be more appropriate based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite formal

Indicates a slightly higher degree of formality than "pretty formal".

is rather formal

Similar to "quite formal", suggesting a noticeable level of formality.

is fairly formal

Expresses a level of formality close to "pretty formal".

is somewhat formal

Suggests a moderate degree of formality.

is a bit formal

Indicates a slightly lower degree of formality than "pretty formal".

leans toward formal

Suggests that something is more formal than informal.

has formal elements

Indicates that while not entirely formal, certain aspects are formal.

errs on the side of formal

Implies a tendency towards formality.

tends to be formal

Indicates a habitual or frequent formality.

is conventionally formal

Suggests adherence to traditional standards of formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "is pretty formal" to describe a situation, event, or language that has a noticeable degree of formality. For example, "The dress code for the event "is pretty formal", requiring suits and ties for men."

What are some alternatives to "is pretty formal"?

Alternatives include "is quite formal", "is rather formal", or "is somewhat formal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Is pretty formal" indicates a moderate level of formality, while "is very formal" suggests a high level of formality. The correct choice depends on the actual degree of formality you want to describe.

What's the difference between "is pretty formal" and "is casually formal"?

"Is pretty formal" suggests a standard level of formality. On the other hand, the expression "is casually formal" could appear paradoxical. It is not a very common phrase and it can imply that formality is combined with a relaxed or informal attitude.