it pretty ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it pretty ugly" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a colloquial or informal expression that may be intended to convey that something is very ugly, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "The painting was so poorly done that I have to say, it was pretty ugly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are lyrics here that no other songwriter would dare imagine, let alone commit to disc; and The Bad Seeds' arrangements likewise forbid no strategy in their pursuit of the appropriate accompaniment – be it pretty, ugly, or just absurd.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not going to be hanging in the Met anytime soon — it's pretty ugly — but it does seem to capture the agreeably kooky atmosphere of this 16th-floor bar.

The New York Times

It was pretty ugly just the way it felt.

The New York Times

"It's pretty ugly when you look at it," Butler said.

The Guardian

"It was pretty ugly for a time, but we were able to overcome it, get a lead after that," said Manager Joe Torre, who noted Justice should have thrown to second base.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a second win on the bounce for us and I appreciate it was pretty ugly at times but you just have to get the job done.

Independent

I think it's pretty ugly: the 'Android Green' striped lines feel almost like placeholder graphics and it doesn't look nearly as attractive as iOS's App Store.

TechCrunch

"It's a bit of a joke, the whole process," Dyke told BBC Sport, adding that it looked "pretty ugly for Fifa".

BBC

It was pretty ugly".

Independent

"It got pretty ugly".

The Guardian

"It was pretty ugly," he admits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as unattractive, use grammatically correct and widely accepted phrases like "it's quite ugly" or "it's really ugly" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it pretty ugly" in formal or professional writing. This construction is grammatically incorrect and may detract from your credibility. Stick to standard English phrases like "it's very ugly" or "it's quite unattractive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it pretty ugly" functions as a descriptive expression, attempting to convey that something is unattractive. However, the construction is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, it lacks proper grammatical structure and is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it pretty ugly" is a grammatically incorrect expression used to describe something as unattractive. While it appears in some informal contexts and direct quotes within news articles, it is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks proper grammatical structure. Better alternatives include "it's quite ugly" or "it's really ugly". Always aim for grammatically correct and widely accepted phrases to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Remember that context matters, and while informal language has its place, it's crucial to maintain professionalism in certain settings. Consider the alternative phrases for the semantic context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite unattractive

Replaces "pretty ugly" with a more standard adjective while retaining the meaning.

it's really unsightly

Uses "unsightly" to convey a similar level of unattractiveness.

it's extremely unattractive

Emphasizes the unattractiveness to a high degree.

it's rather hideous

Uses the word "hideous" to indicate extreme ugliness.

it's terribly ugly

Emphasizes the ugliness using "terribly".

it's exceptionally plain

Downplays the ugliness by describing something as exceptionally plain.

it's seriously flawed in appearance

Rephrases the statement to focus on appearance and flaws.

it's visually displeasing

A more formal way of saying it's not pleasant to look at.

it lacks aesthetic appeal

Uses more sophisticated language to describe the lack of beauty.

it's not easy on the eyes

An idiomatic expression meaning it's unattractive.

FAQs

Is "it pretty ugly" grammatically correct?

No, "it pretty ugly" is not grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate phrase would be "it's pretty ugly" or "it's quite ugly".

What are some alternatives to "it pretty ugly"?

You can use phrases like "it's quite unattractive", "it's really unsightly", or "it's extremely unattractive" to express a similar meaning.

How can I use "it pretty ugly" in a sentence correctly?

While "it pretty ugly" is not standard English, if you intend to use it colloquially, consider rephrasing to "it's pretty ugly", as in, "The painting was so poorly done that I have to say, it's pretty ugly".

What is the difference between "it pretty ugly" and "it's pretty ugly"?

"It pretty ugly" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it's pretty ugly", where "it's" is a contraction of "it is". Therefore, "it pretty ugly" should be avoided in formal writing.