pretty early on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty early on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something happened or was noticed quickly after a certain event or time. For example, you could say, "I realized pretty early on that the party was going to be a disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pretty early on.

The Guardian - Film

I learned that pretty early on.

The New York Times

I get blown up pretty early on.

The Guardian - Film

"John and Dakin noticed it pretty early on.

The New York Times

Honestly, we got the point pretty early on here.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I wound up in therapy pretty early on," he said.

The New York Times

In rehearsals the word terrorist popped up pretty early on".

The Guardian

"He was aware pretty early on that I wasn't interested.

The Guardian

I knew pretty early on that something was up.

The New York Times - Sports

As a coyote you learn this fact pretty early on, trust me.

The New Yorker

From pretty early on, the narrators expose themselves as unreliable or completely unhinged.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty early on" to indicate a realization or event that occurred shortly after a specific starting point or initial event. This helps establish a clear timeline for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty early on" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "at an early stage" or "relatively soon thereafter" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty early on" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that an event or realization happened shortly after a specific starting point. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty early on" is a common and useful adverbial phrase for indicating that something happened or was realized shortly after a particular time or event. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for neutral and informal contexts, appearing frequently in news and media sources. While it is a versatile phrase, remember that more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Be mindful of the subtle emphasis it adds compared to simply using "early on". Ludwig provides ample examples of usage to help writers understand how to effectively incorporate this phrase into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite soon after

Emphasizes the short time frame following an event.

fairly quickly afterwards

Highlights the speed with which something followed another event.

relatively soon thereafter

More formal and emphasizes the sequential nature of events.

at an early stage

Focuses on the initial phase of a process or period.

in the initial period

Highlights the commencement or infancy of something.

not long after that

Informal and emphasizes a minimal delay.

shortly after the beginning

Emphasizes the brief duration of the intervening period.

at the start

Focuses on the very beginning of an event or process.

early in the process

Emphasizes the temporal position within a sequence of actions.

soon after initiation

Formal, indicating a prompt occurrence following the start of something.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty early on" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty early on" to indicate something was realized or happened shortly after a starting point. For instance, "I knew "pretty early on" that this project would be challenging".

What are some alternatives to "pretty early on"?

Alternatives include "quite soon after", "fairly quickly afterwards", or "at an early stage", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "pretty early on" appropriate for formal writing?

While "pretty early on" is widely understood, it's generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "relatively soon thereafter" or "in the initial period".

What's the difference between "pretty early on" and "early on"?

While both phrases indicate something happening at the beginning of a period or process, "pretty early on" adds a degree of emphasis, suggesting it happened or was realized sooner than just "early on" would imply.