pretty exhaustive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty exhaustive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is thorough or comprehensive in nature. Example: "The report was pretty exhaustive, covering all aspects of the project in detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Meanwhile, let's have a look at what new functionality is being added with the update: Although the new look of iOS has been covered pretty exhaustively (click here to read our own, pretty exhaustive, take on the flat 'movement') it's safe to say that the design is a simpler iOS.

Independent

But the recipes are pretty exhaustive.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're trying to do something on a pretty exhaustive scale in terms of the level of detail involved".

The New York Times - Health

"They put him through psychometric tests and pretty exhaustive interviews by members of the committee," Mr. Murdoch said, "He aced it".

The New York Times

Geoffrey C. Porges, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, said, "We don't have a small isolated problem to fix, but as I expected, the regulators have found a pretty exhaustive list" of manufacturing issues.

The New York Times

The savoury menu (including five variations on rarebit) is pretty exhaustive, but the main draw here is owner Wendy Kingston's first-rate cakes and tray bakes; the lemon and ginger scones, the Yorkshire curd tart with whipped cream, and the speciality teas (all Taylor's of Harrogate, from £1.50-a-pot).

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"All in all," he said, "we are in pretty good shape because of the exhaustive steps I think we took to prepare for whatever came our way".

The New York Times

"All in all, we are in pretty good shape because of the exhaustive steps I think we took to prepare for whatever came our way," Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon.

The New York Times

Despite all my research, I cannot guarantee that this list is 100% exhaustive, but I am pretty confident that this list covers 95% of transactions made in 2009.

TechCrunch

This list is exhausting, but not exhaustive.

Huffington Post

"The authors have at hand a more exhaustive and thorough database than is available pretty much anywhere else, and their findings are echoed by some other studies," said Glen Elliott, chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty exhaustive" to describe processes, lists, or reviews that cover a wide range of aspects, indicating a high level of detail and thoroughness, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise language might be preferred.

Common error

While "pretty exhaustive" is acceptable, relying too heavily on "pretty" as an intensifier can weaken your writing. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more specific adjectives like "thorough", "comprehensive", or "detailed" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty exhaustive" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, that intensifies the degree to which something is exhaustive. Ludwig examples demonstrate it describing lists, reviews, processes or investigations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty exhaustive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that means something is thorough or complete. Ludwig examples reveal its common use in news and media, as well as academia. While acceptable in many contexts, stronger alternatives like "thorough" or "comprehensive" might be preferred in more formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable, suggesting it is a reliable choice for expressing the high degree to which something covers a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to exhaustive

Indicates something is near being exhaustive, similar to the original phrase but with added emphasis on approximation.

fairly comprehensive

Replaces "pretty" with "fairly" and "exhaustive" with "comprehensive", altering the degree of intensity slightly.

quite thorough

Substitutes both words for synonyms, maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

very detailed

Focuses on the level of detail provided, rather than the completeness of the coverage.

reasonably complete

Emphasizes the level of completeness achieved, with a slightly more tentative tone.

almost all-inclusive

Emphasizes that nearly everything is included, providing a strong sense of comprehensiveness.

largely inclusive

Highlights the extent to which something includes various elements or aspects.

moderately thorough

Indicates a level of thoroughness that is more than average but not excessively detailed.

somewhat comprehensive

Implies a degree of comprehensiveness that is noticeable but not necessarily complete.

approaching completeness

Highlights that something is moving towards being complete but might not yet be fully so.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty exhaustive" to describe something very thorough. For example: "The investigation was "pretty exhaustive", covering every possible angle".

What can I say instead of "pretty exhaustive"?

Alternatives to "pretty exhaustive" include "fairly comprehensive", "quite thorough", or "very detailed" depending on the specific context.

Is "pretty exhaustive" formal or informal?

"Pretty exhaustive" leans towards informal. In formal writing, consider using more professional synonyms such as "highly detailed" or "thorough and complete".

When is it appropriate to use "pretty exhaustive"?

It's suitable in casual or semi-formal contexts, such as blog posts, informal reports, or conversations. Avoid it in academic papers or formal business documents where a more precise adjective is preferable.