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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it seems pretty

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems pretty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express an observation or opinion about something that appears to be aesthetically pleasing or attractive. Example: "I haven't been there yet, but from the pictures I've seen, it seems pretty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

For a violently unstable stellar monstrosity, he added, "it seems pretty stable right now".

News & Media

BBC

But it seems Pretty Woman holds nothing but regrets for its leading man, Richard Gere.

News & Media

The New York Times

It seems pretty unreal.

News & Media

The New York Times

Actually, it seems pretty straightforward.

News & Media

The New York Times

It seems pretty unthinkable".

News & Media

The New York Times

It seems pretty obvious to me now.

News & Media

The New York Times

Now it seems pretty permanent.

"It seems pretty far down that track".

It seems pretty simple to me".

It seems pretty clear-cut to me.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It seems pretty clear that he is," Mr. Horner continued.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems pretty" to express a subjective assessment or observation based on available information.

Common error

While generally acceptable, relying heavily on "it seems pretty" in formal writing can make your expression appear less assertive. Opt for stronger verbs and more precise adjectives to convey your assessment with greater impact.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems pretty" functions as an epistemic stance marker, indicating the speaker's subjective assessment or qualified opinion regarding a particular situation or observation. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly employed across a spectrum of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems pretty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a tentative opinion or observation. It functions as an epistemic stance marker and, according to Ludwig, is most prevalent in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of overusing the phrase in formal writing. Ludwig AI provides a range of alternatives such as "it appears quite" to add variety to your writing. Understanding its usage and context helps in communicating effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears quite

Replaces "seems pretty" with "appears quite", suggesting a slightly more formal observation.

it looks rather

Substitutes "seems" with "looks" and "pretty" with "rather", offering a slightly different emphasis.

it strikes me as quite

Uses "strikes me as" to replace "seems", adding a personal perspective and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

my impression is that it's quite

Replaces "it seems" with "my impression is", providing a more personal and reflective tone and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

it gives the impression of being quite

Expresses the idea of giving an impression, replacing "seems pretty" with a more descriptive construction and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

it has the appearance of being rather

Similar to the previous, but focuses on the visual aspect, replacing "seems pretty" with a descriptive phrase and replacing "pretty" with "rather".

i'm inclined to think it's quite

Introduces a degree of personal inclination, using "I'm inclined to think" instead of "it seems" and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

one might conclude it's rather

Presents a conclusion drawn by an observer, using "one might conclude" instead of "it seems" and replacing "pretty" with "rather".

the evidence suggests it's quite

Indicates that the statement is based on evidence, replacing "it seems" with "the evidence suggests" and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

i gather it's quite

Uses "I gather" to indicate information received, instead of a direct observation, replacing "seems pretty" with a similar phrase and replacing "pretty" with "quite".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it seems pretty" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it appears quite", "it suggests that", or "the evidence indicates" depending on the context.

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

"It seems pretty" is appropriate in casual conversation, informal writing, or when offering a tentative opinion. However, it might be too informal for academic or professional documents.

What are some synonyms for "it seems pretty" that maintain a similar level of informality?

Alternatives that retain informality include "it looks like", "it appears to be", or "it seems rather".

Is "it seems pretty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it seems pretty" is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: