pretty full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is quite filled or occupied, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The restaurant was pretty full by the time we arrived, so we had to wait for a table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

My days are pretty full".

Independent

"They're all pretty full".

The New York Times

My carry-on bag is pretty full".

The New York Times

It is pretty full on," he said.

The Guardian

Our planes leave here pretty full".

The New York Times

"Our pipeline is pretty full right now".

The New York Times

"Our calendar is pretty full," he said.

The Guardian

"And NASA was pretty full of us, too".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's pretty full-on.

The Guardian

Our music can be pretty full-on.

The Guardian - Music

It's like 'Ulysses' — it's a pretty full-on book.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty full" to describe a state of being noticeably but not entirely full, in contexts where a less formal tone is appropriate.

Common error

While "pretty full" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "quite full" or "substantially full" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty full" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating the degree to which something is filled or occupied. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty full" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is quite full but not entirely so. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While suitable for general conversation and informal writing, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives such as "quite full" or "substantially full" in professional or academic contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its general acceptability in neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite full

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

fairly full

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly", indicating a slightly lower degree of fullness.

rather full

Uses "rather" instead of "pretty", offering a more formal tone.

nearly full

Indicates that something is close to being completely full.

almost full

Similar to "nearly full", suggesting a state just short of complete fullness.

substantially full

Emphasizes a significant degree of fullness, using a more formal word choice.

largely full

Indicates that the majority of something is full.

considerably full

Highlights that the fullness is noteworthy or significant.

well-filled

Uses a compound adjective to describe the state of being full.

packed

Implies a higher degree of fullness, suggesting that something is tightly filled.

FAQs

What does "pretty full" mean?

The phrase "pretty full" means that something is quite or fairly full, but not completely so. It indicates a significant degree of fullness without implying that the space is entirely occupied.

Is it okay to use "pretty full" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty full" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "quite full" or "nearly full" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "pretty full"?

You can use alternatives such as "fairly full", "rather full", or "almost full" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

Here's an example: "The restaurant was "pretty full" when we arrived, so we had to wait for a table."