pretty complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty complete" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something as being almost, but not entirely, done/finished. For example, "The paperwork for the project is pretty complete" or "My collection of books is pretty complete now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"The story was pretty complete".

The New York Times

"John-Ford is a pretty complete hitter," Thomson said.

The New York Times - Sports

As an exhibition museum, the present building seems to me a pretty complete success.

The New Yorker

The selection is pretty complete for cartoons published since 1985, but it's very spotty before that.

The New Yorker

We get a pretty complete picture of most of our candidates".

The New York Times

That aside, the recreation of an Enid Blyton-ish adventure is pretty complete here.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Reasons to Be Pretty" completes his trilogy about body image — which began with "The Shape of Things" and "Fat Pig" — and the show, with the original cast and director intact, starts previews March 13th at the Lyceum.

The New Yorker

Asked why he is leaving Google, he responds that his work is pretty much completed: "Over the last two years, we have built out the infrastructure for the social Web.

TechCrunch

It's pretty much complete.

The New York Times

It's pretty much complete devastation".

The Guardian

"This match sounds pretty lively, complete with the requisite cast of butter-fingered Englishmen," says Michael Jelley.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty complete" when you want to convey that something is nearing completion but might still require minor adjustments or additions. It's suitable for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty complete" when the subject is significantly incomplete. This can lead to miscommunication and unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty complete" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of near completion. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase suggests something is almost finished but might still need minor adjustments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty complete" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something that is nearing completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations and general writing. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "almost complete" or "substantially complete" for a more professional tone. Avoid using the phrase if the subject is significantly incomplete, as this can be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost complete

Indicates a state that is close to being finished, focusing on the remaining gap.

nearly complete

Similar to 'almost complete', but can suggest a slightly greater degree of progress.

substantially complete

Emphasizes the significant degree of completion achieved.

largely complete

Highlights that the major part is finished.

virtually complete

Suggests a state that is so close to finished that the remaining part is negligible.

well-nigh complete

An archaic alternative with very similar meaning.

close to completion

Shifts the focus from the state of being complete to the process of completing.

essentially finished

Focuses on the finished aspect, highlighting the key components are done.

just about complete

Informal expression suggesting something is on the verge of being done.

practically complete

Indicates that completion is so near it can be considered achieved for all practical purposes.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty complete" to describe something that is almost finished, like "The report is "pretty complete"; I just need to add the conclusion."

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty complete"?

Alternatives include "almost complete", "nearly complete", or "substantially complete", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "pretty complete" too informal for professional writing?

While "pretty complete" isn't strictly incorrect, it may be perceived as too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using a more formal alternative like "largely complete" or "substantially complete".

Can "pretty complete" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "pretty complete" can describe abstract concepts as long as it accurately conveys the idea of near completion. For example, "My understanding of the topic is "pretty complete" now after doing more research."