pretty extensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty extensive" is a correct phrase that is frequently used in written English.
You can use it to describe something when you want to express that it is large in scope or contains a lot of components. For example: "This research project requires a pretty extensive skillset, including web design, coding, and graphic design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Petrilli's list of 100 is pretty extensive.

The New York Times

This usually requires some pretty extensive phonetic contortions.

The Economist

"It's pretty extensive the ability to claw back," he said.

The New York Times

"Today was a pretty extensive set of measures.

The New Yorker

"I have a pretty extensive makeup collection," Silvia says.

The Guardian

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been through a pretty extensive facelifting process this year.

Independent

He described the firm's ability to reclaim such money as "pretty extensive".

The New York Times

The kinds of software you can write for Windows is pretty extensive.

The Guardian - Tech

I then looked at the prohibitions and yes, they're pretty extensive.

The Guardian

"And then, we can expect the due diligence to be pretty extensive, to say the least.

The New York Times

They had to engage in some pretty extensive renovations for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty extensive" to convey that something is notably large in scope or contains a significant amount of detail. For example, "The library has a "pretty extensive" collection of rare books."

Common error

While "pretty extensive" is acceptable, avoid overusing "pretty" as an intensifier in formal writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "very extensive" or "quite comprehensive" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty extensive" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes the extent or scope of a noun, indicating a considerable amount or degree. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty extensive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates something is notably large or comprehensive. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in a neutral register, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience; in more formal settings, stronger alternatives like "very extensive" or "quite comprehensive" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "pretty extensive" when you need to convey something beyond ordinary without sounding overly intense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite comprehensive

Replaces "pretty" with "quite" and "extensive" with "comprehensive", suggesting a similar level of completeness but with a slightly more formal tone.

fairly broad

Substitutes "extensive" with "broad", emphasizing the wide range or scope rather than the depth or detail.

reasonably thorough

Replaces "extensive" with "thorough", shifting the focus to the completeness and detail of the subject.

considerably large

Uses "large" instead of "extensive", highlighting the physical size or quantity involved.

remarkably detailed

Focuses on the level of detail, suggesting that the subject is elaborate and intricate.

noticeably vast

Emphasizes the immensity and scale, using "vast" to indicate a large, unbounded extent.

appreciably wide-ranging

Highlights the diversity and scope, suggesting that the subject covers a wide spectrum of topics or areas.

largely inclusive

Shifts the focus to the encompassing nature, indicating that the subject includes most or all relevant elements.

substantially expanded

Indicates that something has grown or increased significantly in size or scope.

moderately comprehensive

Implies a completeness that is average or acceptable but not outstanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty extensive" to describe something that is broad or comprehensive. For example, "The museum has a "pretty extensive" collection of modern art."

What are some alternatives to using "pretty extensive"?

Alternatives include "quite comprehensive", "fairly broad", or "very detailed" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "pretty extensive" may be perceived as informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and stronger alternatives such as "very extensive" or "considerably large".

What's the difference between "pretty extensive" and "very extensive"?

"Pretty extensive" is slightly less emphatic than "very extensive". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.