pretty much all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty much all" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used as an emphasis on how much of something exists or to show the extent of something. An example of its usage would be, "I've tried pretty much all the restaurants in town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pretty much all of August.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's pretty much all fun".

The New York Times - Sports

Pretty much all right.

The New Yorker

It's pretty much all freelance.

The Guardian

That was pretty much all he had.

The New Yorker

Art is pretty much all he did.

The New Yorker

" My friends are pretty much all Americanized.

The New York Times

That is pretty much all it took.

The New York Times

That's pretty much all food.

The Guardian

Pretty much all of it.

The Guardian

Pretty much all of you chose Down.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty much all" to emphasize the extent or near-totality of something. It adds a touch of informality to your writing, making it more relatable.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much all" in highly formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much all" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate quantity or extent. As supported by Ludwig, it expresses a high degree of inclusiveness, suggesting that nearly everything within a given context is being considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty much all" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the near-totality of something. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to note its informal tone. As explained before, while it is commonly used in casual conversation and news articles, consider using more formal alternatives like "almost all" or "nearly all" in academic or professional writing. The phrase enjoys frequent use across news media and academic settings, as well as informal wikis, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary, as long as the context is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Replaces "pretty much" with "almost", resulting in a more formal tone.

nearly all

Similar to "almost all", but with a slightly different nuance in emphasis.

virtually all

Indicates that something is true in effect, if not in fact.

practically all

Suggests that something is true or effective in almost every way.

just about all

Slightly more informal, but still conveys near-completeness.

basically all

Emphasizes the fundamental or essential nature of the completeness.

essentially all

Highlights the core or intrinsic nature of the completeness.

in effect all

Focuses on the result or consequence being nearly complete.

close to all

Indicates that the amount or degree is very near to being complete.

for all intents and purposes all

Emphasizes a legal or functional equivalence to being completely all.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty much all" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty much all" to indicate that nearly everything is included or affected. For example, "I've eaten "pretty much all" the cookies" or "Pretty much all of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "pretty much all"?

Alternatives to "pretty much all" include "almost all", "nearly all", and "virtually all". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "pretty much all" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty much all" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use "almost all" or "nearly all".

What is the difference between "pretty much all" and "almost all"?

"Pretty much all" and "almost all" have similar meanings, but "pretty much all" is slightly more informal. "Almost all" is more suitable for formal contexts.