pretty bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pretty bad' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "I'm feeling pretty bad today - I think I'm coming down with a cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It's pretty bad.

The New York Times

"Pretty bad," he said.

The New York Times

They're all pretty bad".

Independent

Pretty bad, reckon some.

The Economist

"It was pretty bad".

The New York Times - Sports

That sounds pretty bad.

The New Yorker

He looked pretty bad.

The New York Times

They're both pretty bad".

The New York Times

Sounds pretty bad, right?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Pretty bad-ass, actually.

TechCrunch

That was pretty bad.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty bad", consider the context and audience. While common, it might be too informal for academic or professional writing; opt for alternatives like "very bad" or "quite unfavorable" in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid relying on "pretty bad" in professional documents. While it's acceptable in casual conversation, using more precise and formal language enhances the credibility and clarity of your message. Instead, try "considerable drawback" or "serious issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty bad" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun, indicating a negative quality or state. This usage aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty bad" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that expresses a moderate degree of negativity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various sources. While suitable for general conversation and news reports, it's advisable to opt for more formal alternatives like "very bad" or "unfavorable" in professional or academic contexts. The phrase's primary function is to convey dissatisfaction or disapproval, and its register leans toward neutral but often appears more informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very bad

Indicates a higher degree of severity than "pretty bad".

quite bad

Similar in meaning to "pretty bad", but with a slightly more formal tone.

really bad

Emphasizes the negative quality to a greater extent.

fairly bad

Expresses a similar level of negativity, with a slightly softer tone.

terrible

Represents a stronger and more intense level of negativity.

awful

Similar to "terrible", indicating a severely negative state.

dreadful

Indicates a sense of dismay and unpleasantness.

not good

A more general and understated way of expressing negativity.

unpleasant

Focuses on the disagreeable nature of something.

unsatisfactory

Highlights the failure to meet expectations or standards.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "pretty bad"?

You can use alternatives like "very bad", "quite bad", or "really bad" depending on the context. For more formal situations, consider using "unfavorable" or "unsatisfactory".

Is "pretty bad" too informal for professional writing?

Yes, "pretty bad" can be too informal for professional or academic writing. In those contexts, it's better to use more precise and formal alternatives such as "considerable drawback" or "serious issue".

How to use "pretty bad" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty bad" to describe something that is significantly negative or undesirable. For example, "The weather today is pretty bad," or "His performance in the game was pretty bad."

Which is correct, "pretty bad" or "very badly"?

"Pretty bad" is used to describe a noun or situation (e.g., "The situation is pretty bad"). "Very badly" is used to describe a verb (e.g., "He played very badly"). Choose the phrase that correctly modifies the word you are describing.