is pretty intense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty intense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very strong, powerful, or extreme in nature, often in a subjective context. Example: "The competition this year is pretty intense, with many talented participants vying for the top spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It is pretty intense".

The New York Times - Arts

But the schedule is pretty intense".

The New York Times - Travel

"Law school debt is pretty intense".

The New York Times

The program is pretty intense, though.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

7.44pm BST So, Lexington Market is pretty intense.

The Guardian - Travel

The story is pretty intense to begin with.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was pretty intense".

The New York Times

Those competitions were pretty intense.

The New York Times

"He was pretty intense.

The New York Times - Sports

Relations were pretty intense.

The New York Times

Mob was pretty intense.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty intense" to describe situations, emotions, or experiences that have a significant impact or require substantial effort. It's suitable when you want to convey a strong but not overwhelming sense of intensity.

Common error

While "is pretty intense" is acceptable, avoid overuse in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "is quite severe" or "is very extreme" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty intense" functions as a subjective descriptor, typically used to characterize a noun. It ascribes a quality of significant strength, effort, or emotional impact to something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is pretty intense" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something with significant strength or impact. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the phrase is frequently used in News & Media and Academia contexts. Although appropriate for many situations, it's important to be mindful of overusing it and to consider more formal alternatives, such as "is quite severe", in professional settings. Using varied vocabulary ensures clarity and engagement in your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a useful tool for conveying a moderate level of intensity across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is very extreme

Highlights the extremity of something, suggesting it goes beyond the norm.

is fairly extreme

Expresses a considerable degree of intensity or severity.

is incredibly strong

Highlights the robustness and resilience of something.

is quite severe

Implies a strong and possibly negative degree of intensity, often related to problems or difficulties.

is really powerful

Emphasizes the strength and impact of something, whether physical or emotional.

is rather forceful

Indicates a strong and assertive quality.

is highly demanding

Focuses on the level of effort or requirements involved, often used in work or study contexts.

is truly consuming

Implies something that takes up a lot of time and mental energy.

is deeply moving

Describes something that evokes strong emotions.

is extremely acute

Suggests a sharp and intense level of something, often related to pain or awareness.

FAQs

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

You can use "is pretty intense" to describe an experience, a feeling, or a situation. For instance, "The training schedule "is pretty intense"" or "The competition "is pretty intense" this year."

What's a more formal alternative to "is pretty intense"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is highly demanding", "is considerably challenging", or "is exceptionally rigorous" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is pretty intense"?

"Is pretty intense" is appropriate in informal to neutral contexts when you want to convey a strong but not overwhelming degree of intensity, stress, or emotional impact. Reserve it for situations where the intensity is noticeable but not necessarily critical or negative.

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

"Is pretty intense" and "is very intense" are similar, but "is very intense" suggests a slightly higher degree of intensity than "is pretty intense". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you wish to convey.