is pretty funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is amusing or humorous in a casual or informal context. Example: "The joke he told during dinner is pretty funny; I couldn't stop laughing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is pretty funny.

The New York Times - Magazine

— is pretty funny.

The New York Times

It is pretty funny material.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Chihuahua-shepherd sex is pretty funny".

The New York Times - Travel

I mean, Germaine Greer is pretty funny.

The Guardian

The clue is pretty funny: "Its contents provide juice".

The New York Times

Mr. Sokolov is pretty funny about his unceremonious dismissal.

The New York Times - Books

Johnny Depp doing a sustained Trump impression is pretty funny.

The New Yorker

They often call me Mr Holdsworth, which is pretty funny!

The Guardian

As Trey, Ice Cube is pretty funny, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was pretty funny".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "is pretty funny" with specific details to enhance the description. For example, "His impersonation of the boss is pretty funny, especially the way he mimics his laugh."

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty funny" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is quite amusing" or "is rather humorous" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty funny" functions as a subject complement, providing a description of the subject. It is used to express that something or someone is amusing or humorous, though not necessarily to an extreme degree. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty funny" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing something as mildly amusing. Ludwig confirms its usability, and its prevalence in News & Media demonstrates its wide applicability. While it is suitable for general and informal contexts, it should be used sparingly in formal or professional writing, opting instead for alternatives like "is quite amusing" or "is rather humorous". Remember to consider your audience and the context to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite amusing

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", indicating a similar level of amusement but with a slightly more formal tone.

is kind of amusing

Uses "kind of" instead of "pretty", indicating a similar level of amusement but with a more casual tone.

is rather humorous

Substitutes both "pretty" and "funny" for "rather" and "humorous", providing a slightly more elevated and descriptive tone.

is fairly comical

Replaces "pretty" and "funny" with "fairly" and "comical", conveying a similar meaning with a slightly different stylistic choice.

is genuinely amusing

Emphasizes the sincerity of the amusement, suggesting that the humor is authentic and not forced.

is reasonably amusing

Uses "reasonably" in place of "pretty", suggesting a sensible or justifiable level of amusement.

is mildly hilarious

Indicates a moderate level of hilarity, implying that it is more than just funny but not extremely so.

is somewhat laughable

Shifts the focus to the potential for laughter, suggesting the situation or statement is worthy of being laughed at.

is somewhat entertaining

Focuses on the entertainment value rather than the humor specifically, suggesting it provides enjoyment.

is slightly droll

Uses "droll" to suggest a dry or understated sense of humor, offering a more specific type of amusement.

FAQs

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

"Is pretty funny" is typically used to describe something mildly amusing or humorous. For example, "The way he tripped over the rug "is pretty funny", but I hope he's okay."

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

You can use alternatives like "is quite amusing", "is rather humorous", or "is fairly comical" depending on the context.

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

Both "is pretty funny" and "is very funny" are grammatically correct, but they indicate slightly different degrees of amusement. "Is very funny" suggests a higher level of humor than ""is pretty funny"".

What's the difference between "is pretty funny" and "is hilarious"?

"Is hilarious" indicates a much stronger degree of amusement than ""is pretty funny"". "Hilarious" suggests something extremely funny, while "is pretty funny" implies mild amusement.