pretty frequently

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty frequently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens regularly, but not overwhelmingly so. For example, "I visit my grandparents pretty frequently - usually every week or two."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nature took its course pretty frequently".

The New York Times

That jeer is tossed across the Atlantic pretty frequently.

The Economist

"Close to the lines is something we see pretty frequently," Darby said.

The New York Times - Sports

I throw up pretty frequently which really takes it out of you.

The Guardian

Enough that Pixies were able to tour pretty frequently for a decade.

The Guardian - Music

"We were getting hit pretty frequently," says Mr. O'Hara, who is steering.

The New York Times

For starters, I'll be checking the prediction markets at PredictWise pretty frequently.

The New York Times

I expect you to be in touch pretty frequently for the first few weeks, one way or the other.

The New York Times - Magazine

When you're Aziz Ansari, people come up to you pretty frequently and say they enjoyed your stand-up specials.

The New York Times

Corden's been hitting up the movie remake bit pretty frequently since his debut, but no one's complaining.

The Guardian

AFP: So if I am someone who lives in — what is a wealthy area that gets all these repairs pretty frequently?

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty frequently" to describe events or actions that happen regularly, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise language might be preferred.

Common error

While "pretty frequently" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "regularly", "often", or "frequently" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty frequently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how often an action occurs. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts to express regularity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty frequently" is a common adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events that occur with some regularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, though it is more suitable for informal or neutral writing than highly formal or academic settings. While "very frequently" might suggest a higher frequency, alternatives like "quite often" or "rather frequently" can be used for nuanced expression. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its prevalent use in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather frequently

Slightly more formal than "pretty frequently".

quite often

A common alternative, similar in formality.

fairly often

Indicates a slightly lower frequency than "pretty frequently".

reasonably often

Implies a justified or expected frequency.

somewhat often

Suggests a less pronounced frequency.

with some regularity

More formal, emphasizing the consistent nature of the occurrence.

on multiple occasions

Highlights the repeated nature of the events.

not infrequently

A more formal and slightly indirect way of saying "pretty frequently".

at regular intervals

Stresses the consistent spacing between occurrences.

from time to time

Indicates occasional occurrences, suggesting a lower frequency.

FAQs

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

"Pretty frequently" describes something that happens with some regularity. For example, "I visit my family "pretty frequently".".

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty frequently"?

You can use alternatives like "quite often", "rather frequently", or "fairly often" depending on the context.

Is "pretty frequently" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty frequently" is generally more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "regularly" or "often".

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

"Pretty frequently" suggests a moderate level of occurrence, while "very frequently" implies a higher or more intense level of occurrence. The choice depends on the degree of regularity you want to convey.