pretty clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is obvious. For example: "The instructions were pretty clearly written, so it was easy to understand them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I tried to say it pretty clearly.

Cornell University

Two are pretty clearly Chinese imports.

The New York Times - Arts

Pregnancy seems pretty clearly off-limits.

The New York Times

"We're pretty clearly who we are.

The New York Times

This is pretty clearly a fib.

The Economist

" — and it's pretty clearly a heart attack.

The New Yorker

This, pretty clearly, is how it's done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She adds, "We're heading toward plutocracy, pretty clearly".

The New York Times

She is also pretty clearly not a Republican.

The New Yorker

They're also pretty clearly just a kid talking trash.

The Washington Post

Because Vick seems pretty clearly to be a Sixers fan.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty clearly" to express a strong sense of certainty or obviousness, but be mindful of your audience and the context. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "unquestionably" or "undeniably".

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, relying too heavily on "pretty clearly" can make your writing seem less sophisticated. Vary your vocabulary by using stronger synonyms or more nuanced phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty clearly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the degree to which something is clear or evident. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples in Ludwig show it qualifying statements across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the analysis reveals that the phrase "pretty clearly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that acts to emphasize clarity or obviousness. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. While it is most commonly found in news and media, it is also present in academic contexts. Although versatile, writers should consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives when precision and formality are paramount. Its frequent use underscores its significance as a way to express clarity with a hint of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite obviously

Replaces "clearly" with "obviously", emphasizing the apparent nature of the statement.

very evidently

Substitutes both words with near synonyms, stressing the visible nature of the evidence.

plainly

Uses a simpler, more direct adverb.

easily seen

Changes the adverbial phrase to a passive verb construction.

readily apparent

Replaces "clearly" with "apparent", indicating ease of perception.

unmistakably

Conveys that there's no possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpreting.

beyond doubt

Changes the phrase structure to emphasize the lack of uncertainty.

without question

Highlights that something is accepted as true or certain.

patently

Uses a more formal adverb with similar connotations.

in no uncertain terms

Emphasizes the clarity and directness of a communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty clearly" to indicate that something is easily understood or evident. For example: "The instructions were "pretty clearly" written."

What phrases are similar to "pretty clearly"?

Alternatives to "pretty clearly" include "quite obviously", "very evidently", or "plainly".

Is "pretty clearly" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty clearly" might be considered too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using stronger or more precise alternatives such as "undeniably" or "unquestionably".

What's the difference between "pretty clearly" and "very clearly"?

"Pretty clearly" and "very clearly" are quite similar, but "pretty clearly" can sometimes imply a slight degree of subjectivity or opinion, whereas "very clearly" might suggest a more objective observation.