pretty darn close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty darn close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to indicate that something is very near to being correct or accurate, but not quite there. Example: "The final score was pretty darn close to what I predicted, just a few points off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She and I are pretty darn close".

The Guardian - Books

"And if it's not more expensive, it's pretty darn close".

The New York Times

And that's pretty darn close to what the average temperature of the earth is.

Cornell University

If Mr. Steinbrenner didn't die a billionaire, he must have come pretty darn close.

The New York Times

But if you're a food truck vendor in Chicago it's getting pretty darn close to impossible.

The Washington Post

"But it's starting to get pretty darn close, I'll tell you that".

The New York Times - Sports

"My goal was to make the N.H.L., and I got pretty darn close," Dobbyn said.

The New York Times - Sports

But New Orleans is sold out for the season and Buffalo's pretty darn close to it".

The New York Times - Sports

It's not Paris in the springtime, but it's pretty darn close.

The Washington Post

But I've seen a couple of cases that were pretty darn close," he said.

The Guardian

"We believe she was pretty darn close to that line," he said, but that she did not cross it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty darn close" in situations where you want to convey that something is nearly accurate or achieved, but not perfectly so. It adds a touch of informality and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty darn close" in highly formal writing or professional presentations where a more precise or technical term would be more appropriate. Opt for phrases like "very nearly" or "almost exact" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty darn close" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a high degree of approximation or nearness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to emphasize that something is almost, but not quite, accurate or complete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty darn close" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that signifies a high degree of approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for informal contexts, particularly in news and media or everyday conversation. While it effectively communicates nearness, remember that in formal settings, more precise alternatives like "very nearly" or "almost exact" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close enough

Indicates sufficient approximation for a given purpose.

just about

Informal way of saying "almost".

very near

More formal and less emphatic.

practically the same

Highlights the minimal difference between two things.

almost there

Indicates progress and near completion.

nearly exact

Focuses on the precision of the approximation.

as good as

Indicates equivalence in quality or outcome.

in the ballpark

Informal, suggesting an approximate range.

virtually identical

Emphasizes the high degree of similarity.

tantamount to

More formal, suggesting equivalence in effect or value.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty darn close" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty darn close" to describe something that is almost accurate or complete. For example, "The estimate was "pretty darn close" to the actual cost."

What's a more formal alternative to "pretty darn close"?

For formal situations, consider using phrases like "very nearly", "almost exact", or "substantially similar".

Is "pretty darn close" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty darn close" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language.

What's the difference between ""pretty darn close"" and "close enough"?

"Pretty darn close" emphasizes the nearness to accuracy, while "close enough" suggests that the level of accuracy is sufficient for a particular purpose, even if not perfect.