is pretty small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the size of an object or concept in a casual or informal manner. Example: "The box is pretty small, so it should fit easily in the trunk of the car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And the development cost is pretty small".

The Guardian - Tech

"No, Westminster Abbey is pretty small".

The Guardian

"This is pretty small scale, but it's daunting," he added.

The New York Times

But, she added, "the leading edge is pretty small".

The New York Times

The amount of the budget subject to legislative discretion is pretty small.

The New York Times

The number of times we start with a blank slate these days is pretty small.

The New Yorker

As life's problems go, buying a goldfish is pretty small fry.

The New York Times - Magazine

No problem for me, although the print on the ballot really is pretty small.

The New York Times

For better or worse, the number of people in this game is pretty small.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They're pretty small".

The New Yorker

Our pool was pretty small by comparison.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is pretty small", consider your audience and the context. While acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic writing. For example, in a formal report, replace "The sample size is pretty small" with "The sample size is relatively limited."

Common error

Avoid using "pretty" excessively in formal writing. While "is pretty small" is understandable, overuse can make your writing sound less professional. Instead, diversify your language with alternatives like "quite", "rather", or "relatively" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty small" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its size or extent. Ludwig examples show it used to describe physical objects, abstract concepts, or quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is pretty small" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe something as being limited in size or scope. While grammatically correct and widely used across various sources, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's important to consider the context and audience. For more formal settings, alternatives like "is quite small" or "is relatively limited" might be more appropriate. Overusing "pretty" should be avoided to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite small

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", maintaining a similar level of informality but with a slightly more refined tone.

is a bit small

Uses "a bit" for a more casual and understated expression of smallness.

is rather small

Substitutes "pretty" with "rather", offering a more formal alternative while conveying the same meaning.

is fairly small

Uses "fairly" instead of "pretty", presenting a slightly more objective assessment of size.

is relatively small

Introduces a comparative aspect, implying smallness in relation to something else.

is somewhat small

Employs "somewhat" to soften the statement, suggesting a milder degree of smallness.

is on the small side

Phrases the smallness as a characteristic, often implying a subjective judgment.

is quite limited

Similar to "is rather limited" but emphasizes the limited nature.

is rather limited

Shifts focus to the concept of limited extent or scope, rather than physical size.

is not very large

Expresses smallness indirectly by negating largeness, suitable for emphasizing the absence of size.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is pretty small" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "is pretty small" with alternatives like "is quite small", "is rather small", or "is relatively small".

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

"Is pretty small" and "is very small" are similar, but "is very small" emphasizes the smallness to a greater degree. "Is pretty small" is slightly more casual and can imply a subjective assessment, while "is very small" is a more direct statement of size.

When is it appropriate to use "is pretty small" in writing?

"Is pretty small" is appropriate in informal writing, conversations, or when a casual tone is acceptable. In formal reports or academic papers, consider using more precise language such as "is relatively limited" or "is somewhat small".

What are some synonyms for "small" that can be used instead of "is pretty small"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "tiny", "minuscule", "compact", or "limited". Therefore, rephrasing "is pretty small" could be "is pretty tiny" or "is pretty compact".