is pretty off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is incorrect, inaccurate, or not quite right. Example: "The information you provided is pretty off; I think we need to double-check the facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"This is pretty off the cuff," he admitted.

TechCrunch

I couldn't pick a favorite if I tried — though 12 is pretty off the chain.

TechCrunch

We wish teachers actually made as much as Kudlow thinks, but unfortunately he is pretty off.

Huffington Post

What is pretty off the wall is that this is (at my most conservative estimate) the 5th version of this record to be released in under a year.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I was pretty off the rails back then.

Independent

"The uke in 1992 was pretty off the pop culture radar".

The New York Times

Oh god, not much, I was pretty off my rocker at that point.

The Guardian - Music

My initial impressions were pretty off.

TechCrunch

"They call us because these kids are pretty off-the-charts amazing," Ms. Cooney said.

The New York Times

And Newt can be pretty off-putting even when he's explaining that he loves his grandchildren.

The New York Times

A moment is all we get, so actually Andy Warhol was pretty off-mark with that 15-minute thing.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty off" to express a mild disagreement or to indicate that information is not entirely correct without being overly critical. It's suitable for conversational and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty off" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language, such as "is inaccurate" or "is not supported by evidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty off" functions as a qualifying statement, expressing a degree of inaccuracy or incorrectness. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct. It modifies a subject to indicate that it deviates from a standard or expectation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty off" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something is not entirely accurate or correct. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal communication and should be used cautiously in more formal settings. Alternatives such as "is quite inaccurate" or "is rather incorrect" may be more appropriate depending on the context. The phrase functions as a qualifying statement, softening disagreement or correction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite inaccurate

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness.

is rather incorrect

Highlights the deviation from what is right or true.

is fairly mistaken

Indicates a misunderstanding or misjudgment.

is somewhat wrong

Suggests a degree of error or fault.

is a bit off

A more casual way of saying something is not quite right.

is slightly askew

Implies a deviation from a straight or correct position.

is not quite right

A general way of indicating something is not as it should be.

is wide of the mark

Indicates a significant deviation from the target or truth.

is far from accurate

Stresses a large degree of imprecision.

is off the pace

Implies a lack of alignment or synchronicity.

FAQs

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

You can use "is pretty off" to indicate that something is not quite accurate or correct. For example: "That estimate is pretty off; we need to recalculate."

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

Alternatives include "is quite inaccurate", "is rather incorrect", or "is somewhat wrong" depending on the context.

Is "is pretty off" too informal for professional communication?

Yes, in professional settings, it's often better to use more formal and precise language like "is inaccurate" or "is inconsistent with the data".

What's the difference between "is pretty off" and "is completely wrong"?

"Is pretty off" suggests a slight inaccuracy, while "is completely wrong" indicates a total lack of correctness. The choice depends on the degree of inaccuracy you want to convey.