it pretty scary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it pretty scary" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "it's pretty scary" or "it is pretty scary" to be grammatically correct. Example: "When I watched that horror movie, I thought it was pretty scary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a rare condition, but it's pretty scary when it happens.

Vice

"It's pretty scary, and it sure doesn't make you feel safe," Ms. Perez said.

The New York Times

"It was pretty scary when it happened," said Hunter, who felt soreness afterward but was assured there was no ligament damage.

The New York Times - Sports

The movie is sharp, funny, and - whisper it - pretty scary, simply because it has learned a basic lesson un-learned by countless lesser examples: don't start with something scary.

The Guardian - Film

"Even though it was a simulation, it was pretty scary," said Inyoman Narma, one the residents who acted as if he had contracted bird flu.

Unicef

When it happens the first time, it's pretty scary.

BBC

The reason it works is very simple: It's pretty scary".

Wikipedia

It's pretty scary but its not nearly in comparison to a game like Silent Hill!

WikiHow

"It was pretty scary how fast I picked it up," said Stricker, who has never considered using a long putter in a competitive event.

The New York Times

"It shook the house, rattled the windows, it was pretty scary".

Vice

It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form, such as "it is pretty scary" or "it's pretty scary", in formal writing. This ensures clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the verb "to be" (is/are) when describing something. Ensure you use "it is" or "it's" instead of the ungrammatical "it pretty scary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pretty scary" functions as an attempted descriptive statement, aiming to express that something elicits a sense of fear. However, it's grammatically incomplete and does not adhere to standard English sentence structure. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it pretty scary" is grammatically incorrect as it omits the verb "to be". The correct forms are "it is pretty scary" or "it's pretty scary". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase violates standard grammar rules. Due to its incorrect grammar, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and speech. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "it's quite frightening" or "it's really terrifying". While the intended meaning is clear, adhering to proper grammar enhances clarity and credibility. The usage contexts and authoritative sources for this phrase are non-existent due to its ungrammatical nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is quite frightening

Replaces "pretty" with "quite" and "scary" with "frightening", resulting in a more formal tone.

it is really terrifying

Substitutes "pretty" with "really" and "scary" with "terrifying" for a stronger emphasis.

it's somewhat alarming

Uses "somewhat" instead of "pretty" and "alarming" in place of "scary", softening the intensity.

it can be unnerving

Replaces the entire phrase with a more sophisticated expression indicating anxiety or unease.

it's rather intimidating

Employs "rather" instead of "pretty" and "intimidating" to suggest a sense of being overwhelmed by fear.

it feels unsettling

Shifts the focus to a feeling of discomfort or unease rather than direct fear.

it appears menacing

Replaces the original phrase with one that highlights the threatening appearance of something.

it seems ominous

Uses "ominous" to suggest that something bad is about to happen, creating a sense of dread.

it looks frightening

Focuses on the visual aspect, indicating something is frightening to look at.

it's downright spooky

Employs a more colloquial term "spooky" to describe something that induces a sense of unease and slight fear.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "it's pretty scary" in a sentence?

Use "it's pretty scary" to describe something that is moderately frightening. For example: "That horror movie was okay, but "it's pretty scary"." Remember, the correct phrase is "it is" or "it's", not "it pretty scary".

What's the difference between saying "it's pretty scary" and "it's very scary"?

"It's pretty scary" suggests a moderate level of fear, while "it's very scary" indicates a higher degree of fear. The choice depends on the intensity you wish to convey. You can also say "it is quite frightening".

Are there more formal alternatives to "it's pretty scary"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "it is quite frightening" or "it is somewhat alarming" to sound more sophisticated.

Is "it pretty scary" grammatically correct?

No, "it pretty scary" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "it is pretty scary" or "it's pretty scary", which include the necessary verb "is". Using the correct form ensures clarity and proper English.