is pretty self explanatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty self explanatory" is mostly correct but should be "is pretty self-explanatory" with a hyphen.
You can use it when describing something that is clear and does not require further explanation. Example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture are pretty self-explanatory; just follow the diagrams provided."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Carbon Dioxide Reduction (CDR) is pretty self explanatory.

The Guardian

Practice is pretty self explanatory, ditto Multiplayer, and it's the latter that's probably going to see the most action post-pub and on holiday.

The Guardian - Tech

I think the image is pretty self explanatory.

TechCrunch

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

Huffington Post

(Sweet and sour is pretty self explanatory).

Huffington Post

The concept is pretty self explanatory: people tweet horny things, for all the world to see.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I was 20 and I got to play music around the world, I think it's pretty self explanatory how amazing it was.

Independent

The pictures below are pretty self explanatory.

TechCrunch

There are knobs for Drive, Level, Treble and Bass which are pretty self explanatory.

TechCrunch

This step should be pretty self explanatory.

WikiHow

This one should be pretty self explanatory.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty self-explanatory" (with a hyphen) for better clarity and grammatical correctness. It improves readability and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Many writers omit the hyphen in "self-explanatory", making it appear as two separate adjectives modifying the noun. Always include the hyphen to maintain the compound adjective's intended meaning and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty self explanatory" functions primarily as a descriptive statement. It serves to characterize something as easily understood and not requiring further explanation. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is pretty self explanatory" is a common way to indicate that something is easy to understand and requires little to no further explanation. While Ludwig AI suggests that using a hyphen in "self-explanatory" is grammatically preferable, the phrase is widely accepted and understood across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternatives such as "is fairly obvious" or "is quite clear" offer similar meanings. When writing, remember to include the hyphen for clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fairly obvious

Replaces "pretty self explanatory" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the obvious nature of something.

is quite clear

Emphasizes clarity as the reason for understanding, rather than the need for explanation.

is easy to understand

Directly states the ease of comprehension.

requires little explanation

Highlights the minimal need for further clarification.

is readily apparent

Suggests the understanding comes from direct observation.

is self-evident

Indicates that something is obvious without needing proof or explanation.

is straightforward

Focuses on the simplicity and directness of something.

is plain to see

Highlights the visibility and obviousness of something.

is clear as day

Uses an idiom to emphasize the obvious clarity.

is not rocket science

Emphasizes that something is not complicated and easy to understand.

FAQs

What does "is pretty self explanatory" mean?

It means something is easily understood and doesn't require much explanation.

What can I say instead of "is pretty self explanatory"?

You can use alternatives like "is fairly obvious", "is quite clear", or "is easy to understand".

Is it correct to say "is pretty self explanatory" or should I say "is pretty self-explanatory"?

While "is pretty self explanatory" is commonly used, "is pretty self-explanatory" (with a hyphen) is grammatically more correct as 'self-explanatory' functions as a compound adjective.

How to use "is pretty self explanatory" in a sentence?

You can say, "The instructions are quite detailed, so the process "is pretty self explanatory"".