pretty confident in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty confident in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a moderate level of confidence or assurance about something. Example: "I am pretty confident in my ability to complete this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We're both pretty confident in our looks".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We're pretty confident in those bunkers," Mr. Danneskiold said.

The New York Times

"I was pretty confident in the basketball side of it," Thibodeau said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm pretty confident in my ability and I'm just looking to grab this oppor-tunity.

Independent

"But again, I was pretty resolute, pretty confident in what I was doing".

The New York Times

He thinks he can beat Obama (politicians are pretty confident in their own abilities).

The New York Times

"I think this team was pretty calm and pretty confident in knowing what was going on.

The New York Times - Sports

"They must be pretty confident in the strength of the evidence they have managed to obtain.

The Guardian - Sport

"On the inside, I think we're pretty confident in what we've got, either way".

The New York Times - Sports

I was pretty confident in my abilities and what I could do on the floor.

The New York Times - Sports

And, of course, we're pretty confident in signing a record and a publishing deal.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty confident in" to express a moderate level of assurance, suitable for situations where you have a good reason to believe something but aren't absolutely certain. It's ideal for expressing informed opinions or predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty confident in" when the situation demands absolute certainty or when you lack sufficient evidence. Overstating your confidence can undermine your credibility if proven wrong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty confident in" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a state of moderate assurance or belief. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, affirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty confident in" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a moderate level of assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "fairly certain about" or "reasonably assured of" for professional settings. Using the writing guidance can help avoid overstating confidence and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty sure about

Replace "confident" with the word "sure", and "in" with the word "about", similar to the level of confidence.

fairly certain about

Replaces "confident" with "certain" and "in" with "about", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of assurance.

quite sure of

Uses "sure" instead of "confident", offering a more direct and common alternative to express certainty.

reasonably assured of

Employs "assured" which implies a slightly more formal tone than "confident".

relatively certain of

Replaces "confident" with "certain" and "in" with "of", and adding word "relatively", suggesting a stronger degree of assurance.

somewhat convinced of

Shifts from confidence to conviction, implying a reasoned acceptance of something.

largely positive about

Replace "confident" with the word "positive", and introducing the word "largely" in the sentence.

inclined to believe in

Indicates a leaning towards belief rather than a firm conviction.

rather positive about

Replace "confident" with the word "positive", and introducing the word "rather" in the sentence.

optimistic about

Focuses on a positive expectation rather than a firm belief or certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty confident in" to express a moderate level of assurance about something. For example, "I'm "pretty confident in" my ability to pass the exam" or "They seem "pretty confident in" their new strategy".

What phrases are similar to "pretty confident in"?

Alternatives to "pretty confident in" include "fairly certain about", "quite sure of", or "reasonably assured of", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "pretty confident in" or "very confident in"?

The choice between "pretty confident in" and "very confident in" depends on the level of assurance you want to express. "Pretty confident in" indicates a moderate level of confidence, while "very confident in" suggests a higher degree of certainty.

Can "pretty confident in" be used in formal writing?

While "pretty confident in" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "reasonably assured of" or "fairly certain about" to maintain a professional tone.