pretty far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant distance or extent, either literally or figuratively. Example: "The project has come pretty far since we first started brainstorming ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"That's carrying it pretty far".

The New Yorker

We were pretty far east.

The New Yorker

Pretty far out".

The Guardian - Music

He got pretty far.

The Guardian - Music

"We're pretty far along".

The New York Times

"It's pretty far gone".

The New York Times

Mr. Quinn can go pretty far.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

That sounds pretty far-fetched to me.

The New York Times - Sports

That's pretty far-fetched.

SEP

Pretty far-out stuff".

Vice

Sounds pretty far-fetched, huh?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty far" to describe progress, ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point or goalpost to provide a frame of reference.

Common error

While "pretty far" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "significantly distant" or "considerably advanced" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty far" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective or verb. It indicates a considerable degree, distance, or extent. Ludwig provides examples where it describes physical distance, progress, or the extremity of an idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty far" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to indicate a notable degree, distance, or extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its frequent occurrence in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to consider more formal alternatives like "considerably advanced" or "significantly distant" in professional settings to maintain a refined tone. Remember to provide clear context when describing progress, ensuring your audience understands the frame of reference. It's a versatile phrase that is widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite distant

Indicates a noticeable distance, similar to "pretty far" but with a slightly more formal tone.

fairly remote

Implies a considerable distance or separation, focusing on the idea of being far away.

considerably advanced

Highlights progress or development to a significant degree, similar to being "pretty far" along in a process.

noticeably ahead

Suggests a clear lead or advancement, akin to being "pretty far" in a competition or project.

well along

Emphasizes the progress made, suggesting that something is "pretty far" towards completion.

significantly remote

This underscores that a subject is removed or distanced to a degree, similar to "pretty far" but more emphatic.

remarkably distant

Expresses that an entity is distanced or removed in a way that is striking, connoting a similar sentiment as "pretty far".

moderately remote

Highlights an object's position as being separated, echoing the idea of a subject being "pretty far" from something else.

appreciably advanced

This focuses on the subject having moved forward to a noteworthy point, similar to "pretty far" in a given stage of progress.

distinctly ahead

This emphasizes that a subject is in front, mirroring the concept that a person/thing has made it "pretty far" past another.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty far" to describe physical distance, progress in a project, or the extent of an idea. For example: "The destination is "quite distant"", "We've come "considerably advanced" on this project", or "That's taking the argument "remarkably distant"".

What phrases are similar to "pretty far"?

Alternatives include "quite distant", "fairly remote", "well along", and "significantly remote". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While generally acceptable, "pretty far" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "considerably advanced" or "significantly remote".

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

"Very far" emphasizes a greater distance or extent than "pretty far". "Pretty far" suggests a noticeable but not necessarily extreme degree, while "very far" indicates a substantial degree.