pretty concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty concerning" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express mild to moderate worry about a situation or issue. Example: "The recent data on climate change is pretty concerning." Alternative expressions include "quite alarming" and "fairly troubling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So, yeah, this is pretty concerning!!

The Washington Post

"This is pretty concerning if we expect to have reliable tree regeneration in the future across much of Yellowstone," said Hansen.

Columbia University

The British team have five stones in the box seat here as end four comes to its conclusion, and the US have just one stone left … 4.08pm GMT The pairs short program in the figure skating is also mid-competition and the British pair of Stacey Kemp and David King have just, according to the commentators, "made a mistake in the death spiral", which sounds pretty concerning.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was pretty concerning for a lot of us, because we felt that it falsely represents what's going on," Bartlett says.

Science Magazine

"Well I think it's pretty concerning… Trump seems to be dragging his policies more and more to the left," says Ed. "And I think that's particularly concerning because I think he's alienating his core conservatives".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Pretty concerned — especially given the risks of full-blown anemia.

The Washington Post

"In terms of guys travelling halfway around the world to play a friendly, I'm pretty concerned.

BBC

I had a chance to review the docs at length yesterday and I wanted to follow up as, quite honestly, I've never seen a deal like this over ~60 investments I've done and I'm pretty concerned.

TechCrunch

"Reasons to Be Pretty" concerns two young working-class couples who have at each other for a variety of perceived wrongs, among them whether one of the men has been criticizing his girlfriend's looks behind her back.

Los Angeles Times

Articles sprung up about him from just about everywhere, including some pretty fine ones concerning his time on Jura and how his essays chart the formation of his most famous novel's chilling vision of a totalitarian Britain.

The Guardian - Books

"It was a pretty surprising and concerning letter to receive," the Conservative councillor said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty concerning" to express a moderate level of worry or unease. Avoid using it for situations that warrant stronger terms like "alarming" or "disturbing".

Common error

While "pretty concerning" is acceptable, avoid overusing "pretty" as an intensifier in formal writing. Consider more precise adjectives to convey your concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty concerning" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe a noun or situation. It modifies the subject by expressing a degree of worry or alarm. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty concerning" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that expresses a moderate level of worry or alarm. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles. When a more formal or precise tone is required, consider using alternatives such as "fairly worrisome" or "moderately troubling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly worrisome

This uses a more direct synonym for 'concerning' to express worry.

quite worrying

This alternative uses a different adjective to convey a similar level of concern.

moderately troubling

This alternative emphasizes the problematic nature of the situation.

reasonably troubling

Indicates the issue is troubling to a degree that warrants attention.

somewhat alarming

This alternative suggests a slightly lower level of worry than the original phrase.

mildly alarming

Similar to "somewhat alarming" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the alarm.

rather disturbing

This suggests a higher level of unease and potential for negative consequences.

genuinely unsettling

Emphasizes the authentic and disturbing nature of the situation.

a bit disquieting

This phrase highlights the unsettling aspect of the situation.

slightly bothersome

This indicates a mild level of annoyance and concern.

FAQs

What does "pretty concerning" mean?

The phrase "pretty concerning" means somewhat worrying or alarming. It indicates a moderate level of unease about a situation.

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

You can use "pretty concerning" to describe situations that cause mild to moderate worry. For example: "The latest economic forecast is "pretty concerning"."

What can I say instead of "pretty concerning"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat alarming", "quite worrying", or "moderately troubling" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pretty concerning" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty concerning" might be perceived as less formal. Consider using more precise and stronger adjectives in formal contexts, such as "fairly worrisome" or "reasonably troubling".