it pretty bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it pretty bad" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a truncated version of "it's pretty bad," which can be used to express a negative opinion or assessment about something. Example: "After watching the movie, I have to say, it's pretty bad."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"And I wanted it pretty bad".

The New York Times - Sports

Margaret told me, "He loses it pretty bad.

The New Yorker

The startling costliness of recent art from China, much of it pretty bad, proves that the market is international as never before.

The New Yorker

"I wanted it pretty bad because it's been a while since we've been able to be that close to the checkered flag without 15 cars passing it before us," Labonte said, deadpan.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure, Cleveland Cavaliers fans have it pretty bad (it doesn't take much imagination to picture the owner Dan Gilbert, with a few more years and a few track suits, as Davis-in-training) but Oakland Raiders fans are truly deserving of our sympathy.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've not been here for any of the other Grand Finals, but I know that Jammer does take it pretty bad when we lose," said McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who will have a fair contingent from the east end cheering him on from the Old Trafford stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"You name it, it was pretty bad".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's pretty bad and it's getting worse," says one logistician.

The Economist

"It feels pretty bad when it ends up like this.

BBC

In fact, it's pretty bad at it.

TechCrunch

"It's pretty bad, isn't it?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the complete form "it is" or the contraction "it's" to ensure grammatical correctness. Using "it" without a verb is generally incorrect in standard written English.

Common error

Avoid omitting the verb "to be" (is/are) when using descriptive phrases. Saying "it bad" or "they difficult" is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "it is bad" or "they are difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pretty bad" functions as a descriptive expression, aiming to convey a negative assessment. However, it is grammatically incomplete as it lacks the necessary verb. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the phrase needs the verb "to be" (is) for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it pretty bad" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the omission of the verb "to be". Ludwig AI points out that the correct forms are "it is pretty bad" or "it's pretty bad". While the phrase appears in some sources, primarily in news and media, its usage is informal and should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives such as "it's quite bad" or "it's really bad" offer grammatically sound options for expressing a similar sentiment. Always prioritize grammatical correctness to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite bad

Replaces "pretty" with "quite" and adds the contraction "it's" for grammatical correctness, intensifying the degree of badness.

it's really bad

Substitutes "pretty" with "really" and adds the contraction "it's", emphasizing the severity in a grammatically standard way.

it is very bad

Replaces "pretty" with "very" and adds "is", providing a more formal but similar expression of negativity.

it's seriously bad

Emphasizes the severity by using "seriously" instead of "pretty" and includes the contraction "it's".

the situation is bad

Rephrases to focus on the situation and clarifies the subject, enhancing clarity and grammatical correctness.

it's considerably bad

Substitutes "pretty" with "considerably" and includes the contraction "it's", specifying the extent of the negativity.

it's exceptionally bad

Replaces "pretty" with "exceptionally" and adds the contraction "it's", elevating the degree of negativity in a formal tone.

things are pretty rough

Uses a different idiom to convey a similar meaning, indicating difficulty or unpleasantness.

the outlook is grim

Employs a more formal and descriptive phrase to express a negative prognosis or condition.

the consequences are severe

Shifts the focus to the consequences, indicating significant negative outcomes, providing a formal tone.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it pretty bad"?

The grammatically correct ways to express a similar sentiment are "it is pretty bad" or "it's pretty bad". Adding the verb "to be" ensures the sentence is complete and standard.

Can I use "it pretty bad" in formal writing?

No, "it pretty bad" is not appropriate for formal writing. Use "it is very bad", "it is quite bad", or other grammatically correct alternatives.

What does "it pretty bad" mean?

The phrase means that something is significantly negative or of poor quality. However, it's an incomplete sentence and should be phrased correctly as "it is pretty bad" or "it's pretty bad".

What are some alternatives to "it pretty bad" that sound more professional?

More professional alternatives include "the situation is dire", "it is considerably bad", or "the consequences are severe", depending on the context.