is pretty good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a positive opinion or evaluation of something in a casual or informal context. Example: "The movie we watched last night is pretty good; I enjoyed the storyline and the acting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Eight is pretty good.

The New York Times

"Moeen is pretty good.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is pretty good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Everything is pretty good".

The New York Times

85 is pretty good.

The Guardian - Film

"My game is pretty good".

Independent

"Her English is pretty good".

The New Yorker

"This place is pretty good.

The Economist

The economy is pretty good.

The New York Times

That is pretty good politics.

The New York Times

The view is pretty good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty good" in contexts where you want to express a positive sentiment without being overly enthusiastic. It's suitable for casual conversations and informal writing where a moderate level of approval is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "is pretty good" as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is quite good", "is fairly good", or more descriptive adjectives to add nuance and precision to your evaluations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty good" functions as an adjective phrase used to express a positive assessment. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is above average but not necessarily exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty good" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a positive, yet understated, evaluation. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources and is generally suitable for informal and neutral contexts. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives for formal writing. The related phrases offer nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments, and the writing guidance highlights best practices and potential pitfalls. Keep in mind the context and your intended level of enthusiasm when choosing to use "is pretty good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is reasonably good

Replaces "pretty" with "reasonably", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

is fairly good

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly", suggesting a similar level of positivity.

is quite good

Uses "quite" instead of "pretty", offering a slightly more emphatic tone.

is rather good

Replaces "pretty" with "rather", maintaining a similar level of mild approval.

is acceptably good

Emphasizes the adequacy of something, shifting the focus to meeting a certain standard.

is adequately good

Similar to "acceptably good", this highlights that something is sufficient.

is passably good

Suggests a minimal level of goodness, implying it barely meets expectations.

is not bad

Uses a double negative to express a positive sentiment, a more understated expression.

is decent enough

Indicates that something is good enough for a particular purpose, implying some limitations.

is up to par

Implies that something meets a required standard or expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "is pretty good" to express a positive opinion about something without being overly enthusiastic. For example, "The new restaurant in town is pretty good; I recommend trying it."

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

You can use alternatives like "is quite good", "is fairly good", or "is reasonably good" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "is pretty good" too informal for professional writing?

While "is pretty good" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as too informal for certain professional contexts. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "is quite satisfactory" or "is reasonably effective".

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

"Is pretty good" expresses a moderate level of approval, while "is very good" indicates a stronger, more enthusiastic endorsement. The choice depends on the degree of positivity you want to convey.