pretty damning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty damning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe evidence or information that is very critical or condemning of someone or something. Example: "The report contained pretty damning evidence against the defendant, leading to a swift conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sounds pretty damning.

The New York Times - Food

That's pretty damning.

The Guardian - Tech

That figure is pretty damning.

The Economist

The drivers' testimony in the case was pretty damning.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's pretty damning about the whole of human nature.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Buffett said on Saturday that the data his company had turned over was "pretty damning".

The New York Times

Many reviewers have called "Game Change" kind to McCain, and it sure tries, but on the whole it's pretty damning.

The New Yorker

Reports of the gig and the footage that emerged proved pretty damning.

The Guardian - Music

That's pretty damning coming from Fiorina, who also was not capable of running Hewlett-Packard.

The New York Times

Some principle might be found to account for the suspicious patterns in their votes, but the evidence looks pretty damning.

The Economist

The report looked pretty damning, although most of the allegations are in line with what has been circulating for months.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty damning" to emphasize the significance and negative implications of evidence or information. It conveys a strong sense of condemnation without being overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty damning" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "highly critical" or "severely unfavorable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty damning" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something that is strongly critical or condemnatory. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in written English, serving to intensify the negative impact of the noun it modifies. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its role in characterizing evidence, reports, or testimony as significantly damaging.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty damning" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a compound adjective to describe something strongly critical or condemnatory. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While suitable for general and news contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or business settings. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to emphasize the significant negative implications of evidence or information. Consider the formality of your writing and the desired emphasis when choosing to use "pretty damning" or a suitable alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly damning

Emphasizes that the evidence is completely condemning and leaves no room for doubt.

quite incriminating

Indicates evidence that strongly suggests involvement in a wrongdoing.

rather condemning

Emphasizes a severe judgement or disapproval.

decidedly unfavorable

Highlights a negative or disadvantageous aspect.

highly critical

Focuses on the expression of strong disapproval or fault-finding.

patently unfavorable

Describes something obviously disadvantageous.

severely critical

Similar to 'highly critical' but emphasizes a more intense level of disapproval.

extremely unfavorable

Stresses the high degree to which something is disadvantageous.

thoroughly discrediting

Highlights the extent to which something damages someone's reputation or credibility.

exceptionally critical

Implies an unusual and noteworthy degree of criticism.

FAQs

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

Use "pretty damning" to describe evidence or information that strongly suggests someone is guilty or something is seriously flawed. For example, "The report contained "pretty damning" evidence of fraud".

What are some alternatives to "pretty damning"?

You can use alternatives such as "quite incriminating", "rather condemning", or "highly critical" depending on the desired level of formality and intensity.

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

While "pretty damning" is widely understood, it's generally better to use more formal alternatives like "severely critical" or "extremely unfavorable" in academic or business contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What makes something "pretty damning"?

Something is "pretty damning" when it provides strong evidence or information that severely undermines a person's position, reputation, or argument. It suggests the situation is very serious and difficult to defend.