pretty common

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty common" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is seen frequently or that is widespread. For example: "This type of mistake is pretty common, so be sure to double check your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's pretty common.

The New Yorker

It's pretty common.

Harvard University

It's pretty common, however.

The New York Times

This reaction is pretty common.

The New York Times

That is pretty common here.

The Guardian

Are they all pretty common?

Harvard Business Review

It's pretty common in humans.

The Washington Post

"This is pretty common in English.

The New York Times

— are pretty common across the sexes.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Similarly, "Vitamins and minerals are pretty common recommendation".

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

It's a pretty common situation.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty common" when you want to indicate that something is frequently encountered or generally known without needing to provide specific statistical data. It adds a relatable, informal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty common" in highly formal or academic papers where a more precise or statistically backed description of frequency would be more appropriate. Opt for phrases like "frequently observed" or "widely prevalent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty common" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is frequently encountered or generally known. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to describe the prevalence of certain phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty common" is a frequently used adjective phrase that indicates something is generally known or frequently encountered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, making it suitable for news and general discussions, it may be less appropriate for highly formal or academic contexts. Numerous examples from Ludwig illustrate its versatility in describing the prevalence of various phenomena. When a more formal tone is required, alternatives such as "fairly typical" or "frequently observed" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly encountered

Stresses the experience of frequently finding something, similar to "pretty common" in depicting prevalence.

regularly observed

Highlights the consistent witnessing of something, much like "pretty common" in implying frequent occurrence.

fairly typical

Indicates something that aligns with expected patterns or norms, similar to "pretty common" but slightly more formal.

quite frequent

Emphasizes the high occurrence rate of something, akin to "pretty common" but stressing frequency.

rather usual

Highlights the ordinariness of something, similar to "pretty common" in denoting lack of uniqueness.

somewhat widespread

Focuses on the broad distribution of something, like "pretty common" in implying extensive presence.

moderately prevalent

Suggests a noticeable presence of something, comparable to "pretty common" in indicating commonness.

not unusual

Emphasizes that something is within the realm of expectation, aligning with the sense of "pretty common".

generally accepted

Suggests widespread acceptance or agreement, diverging slightly from "pretty common" which focuses on occurrence.

widely recognized

Indicates that something is known or acknowledged by many, akin to "pretty common" in suggesting familiarity.

FAQs

What does "pretty common" mean?

The phrase "pretty common" means something happens or exists frequently or is generally known. It suggests that the occurrence is not rare or unusual.

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

You can use "pretty common" to describe situations, opinions, or occurrences. For example, "It's "pretty common" for people to feel nervous before a presentation."

What can I say instead of "pretty common"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly typical", "quite frequent", or "rather usual" depending on the context.

Is "pretty common" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty common" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "frequently observed" or "widely prevalent".