pretty generous

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty generous" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is very giving or kind. Example: The mayor's donation to the local charity was pretty generous.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People are pretty generous in both cases.

The New York Times

"He signed some pretty generous contracts.

The New York Times

A pretty generous council house outside of Basingstoke.

Independent

That sounds a pretty generous assessment to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Compared with most international norms, Iraq's beleaguered leader has offered terms that seem pretty generous.

The Economist

When you have got nine workers to every pensioner, you can have pretty generous pensions.

Independent

"My dad was pretty generous to us, his family, in political disagreement".

The Guardian

That's pretty generous, but it's only the tip of the iceberg.

The New York Times

Besides one or two pins, the rest of them are pretty generous.

The New York Times - Sports

We were pretty generous; we never repossessed unless the situation was entirely hopeless.

The New York Times

And Don was pretty generous when I told him I wanted out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty generous" when you want to emphasize a notable level of generosity without sounding overly formal. It works well in conversational or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty generous" excessively in formal writing, as the word "pretty" can weaken the impact. Opt for stronger intensifiers like "very" or "exceptionally" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty generous" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree or extent of generosity, indicating that something or someone is quite giving or abundant. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples showing its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty generous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a notable level of generosity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for a range of contexts, especially News & Media, but is more informal than alternatives such as "very generous" or "exceptionally generous". While acceptable in everyday conversation and journalistic writing, it may be less appropriate for formal academic or scientific contexts. The prevalence of this phrase in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrates its widespread acceptance and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite generous

This phrase is a direct synonym, using "quite" as an intensifier instead of "pretty".

rather generous

Similar to "quite generous", but may carry a slightly more formal tone.

very generous

This is a more common and straightforward way of expressing the same idea, using "very" as the intensifier.

considerably generous

Emphasizes a significant degree of generosity.

relatively generous

This alternative suggests a comparison to others, implying the subject is more generous than some.

decidedly generous

This alternative suggests a clear and unambiguous generosity.

fairly generous

This alternative indicates a moderate level of generosity, slightly less intense than "pretty generous".

reasonably generous

This implies that the generosity is within expected or acceptable bounds.

pretty bountiful

This focuses on abundance or plentifulness, which is similar in some contexts to generosity.

pretty liberal

This implies generosity in terms of freedom or permissiveness, rather than material giving.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty generous" to describe an act of giving, an amount, or a person. For example, "The company offered a "pretty generous" severance package" or "She was "pretty generous" with her time".

What's a more formal alternative to "pretty generous"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "very generous", "exceptionally generous", or "remarkably generous".

Is it appropriate to use "pretty generous" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty generous" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between ""pretty generous"" and "quite generous"?

The difference is subtle; both are similar. "Quite generous" might be perceived as slightly more formal or reserved than ""pretty generous"", which is generally more conversational.