pretty many

USAGE SUMMARY

'pretty many' is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you can use 'quite a few' or 'many'. For example: I have quite a few hobbies that I enjoy.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Though it is pretty, many have planted it to their regret.

The New York Times

I think all teams will have pretty many good players, and they will be able to maintain the good level they have at present". They no longer maintain their team as a unit--Bykov and Khomutov play in Switzerland--and they no longer maintain the pretense of fielding a team of amateurs.

Los Angeles Times

This nurse continues after a few minutes in dialogue with a colleague: RN1: " I think that there are pretty many decisions that I don't have the possibility of influencing…sometimes it feels a bit powerless actually…And I think that I hear this from many of my colleagues".

BMC Nursing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Interesting, but I'm pretty sure many social networking Web sites have been doing this for months now.

The New York Times

Even though the pilot state of strategy is pretty young, many communities have approached the Wildlife Division for assistance to participate in the process.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Everybody likes to feel pretty, and many sleepovers including doing hair and nails, picking out fashions, and gossiping.

WikiHow

Pretty soon, many of the bees will be stuck in the box, and you can call someone to haul them away.

WikiHow

Pretty images had many takers.

The New York Times - Arts

Spirulina is pretty common in many aquatic habitats.

University of California, Berkeley

ISIS pretty much masters many media, from radio to leafleting.

MIT Technology Review

"I was pretty surprised so many people stayed," Mack said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "pretty many" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases like "quite a few" or simply "many" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

While "pretty" can act as an intensifier, it's generally better to avoid combining it directly with "many" in formal contexts. Using more precise quantifiers enhances credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty many" functions as a quantifier, attempting to specify an amount or quantity. However, its usage is generally considered non-standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not correct for written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pretty many" might seem like a straightforward way to express a moderate quantity, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. Ludwig AI highlights the non-standard nature of this phrase and recommends using alternatives like "quite a few" or simply "many". Although it may appear in some informal contexts, such as news articles or blog posts, it is best to avoid using "pretty many" in academic, scientific, or professional writing to ensure clarity and maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a few

A more common and generally accepted substitute for expressing a moderate quantity.

a good number of

A more formal and widely accepted way to indicate a considerable quantity.

many

A simple and direct substitute, suitable for most contexts.

a considerable amount of

Suitable when referring to a non-countable noun, implying a significant quantity or degree.

a substantial number of

Implies a large and significant quantity, often used in more formal contexts.

quite a lot of

More informal than "quite a few" but still more acceptable than the original phrase.

a fair amount of

Indicates a reasonable quantity or degree, suitable for both countable and uncountable nouns.

numerous

A more formal synonym for "many", often used in writing.

several

Indicates more than two but not a large number, suitable for countable nouns.

plenty of

Informal, suggests that there is more than enough.

FAQs

Is "pretty many" grammatically correct?

No, "pretty many" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use phrases like "quite a few" or simply "many".

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

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "a good number of" or "a substantial number of" instead of "pretty many".

Can I use "pretty many" in spoken English?

While it might be understood in informal conversation, using "pretty many" is still not recommended due to its non-standard nature. More common alternatives like "quite a few" would be preferable.

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

While both attempt to intensify "many", "very many" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "Pretty many", on the other hand, is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided.