pretty average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty average" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is neither particularly good nor bad, but just average or mediocre. Example sentence: "The movie received mixed reviews, with some saying it was pretty average and others saying it was amazing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is pretty average.

The Guardian

A pretty average count.

The Guardian

This one seems pretty average.

The Guardian

A Grub cappuccino, however, was pretty average.

The Guardian - Travel

Is this a pretty average First Saturday?

The New York Times

Most children, by definition, are pretty average.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I answered some of the questions and seemed pretty average.

The New York Times

Scots were pretty average in other ways, too.

The Economist

However, in Hungary this kind of turnout is pretty average.

The Guardian

"No, it's pretty average," said Dr. Michael G. Kaplitt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today was a pretty average day and I assisted on about ten autopsies.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty average" to convey a neutral assessment, avoiding overly positive or negative language. It's suitable when you want to describe something as being within the expected range or of moderate quality.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty average" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to maintain a professional tone. Consider using alternatives like "moderately typical" or "within the expected range" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty average" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is neither particularly good nor bad, but rather falls within a typical or expected range. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty average" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something as being neither particularly good nor bad. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and lifestyle content. While acceptable in most casual settings, it may be less suitable for formal or academic writing, where more precise and descriptive language is preferred. Alternatives such as "fairly standard" or "moderately typical" can be used in more formal situations. When aiming for a neutral and straightforward assessment, "pretty average" serves as an effective and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite ordinary

Emphasizes the lack of distinction or special qualities.

fairly standard

Highlights conformity to a common or accepted level.

moderately typical

Stresses the adherence to a usual or representative example.

somewhat unremarkable

Focuses on the absence of noteworthy features or characteristics.

passable

Suggests meeting the minimum requirements, but not exceeding them.

nothing special

Directly indicates the absence of any exceptional attributes.

middle-of-the-road

Positions the subject squarely in the average range, avoiding extremes.

conventional

Highlights the adherence to established norms and practices.

so-so

A concise way to express mediocrity or a lack of enthusiasm.

just okay

Indicates acceptance without excitement or strong approval.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty average" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty average" to describe something that isn't particularly good or bad, but just okay. For example, "The restaurant was okay, the food was "pretty average"".

What's a more formal way to say "pretty average"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "moderately typical", "within the expected range", or "of moderate quality" instead of "pretty average".

Which is correct, "pretty average" or "very average"?

"Pretty average" and "very average" are both grammatically correct, but "pretty average" is more commonly used in informal contexts. "Very average" may sound slightly unusual to some native speakers.

What can I say instead of "pretty average" to sound more descriptive?

To be more descriptive, you might use phrases like "fairly standard", "somewhat unremarkable", or "middle-of-the-road" depending on the nuance you want to convey.