pretty much broke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty much broke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to indicate that something is almost completely broken or not functioning properly. Example: "After the storm, my old car is pretty much broke and won't start anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We had some big fights and I pretty much broke apart afterwards".

Independent

When they were married in Chicago, in June 1941, they were pretty much broke.

The New York Times

People are "pretty much broke," she said, and don't have air conditioning.

The Washington Post

The family kicked him out of the party and pretty much broke ties with him after that, Ms. Matthews said.

The New York Times

"Three guys," Quigley said, "when we all turned 50 we were pretty much broke, and now we're out there competing for millions of dollars".

The New York Times - Sports

Since we are all pretty much broke and staring down the retirement barrel without a clue of how to afford it, there's no time like the present for someone to come up with a cheaper form of housing for us.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Today, ZAWA is pretty much flat broke and has been bailed out by the Zambian government more than once.

HuffPost

I pretty much knew it was probably broke right as I did it, and that's why I sprinted right back to him and tried to console him as much as I could and apologize".

Huffington Post

"Nothing Daunted" is pretty much the polar opposite of Jeannette Walls's "Half Broke Horses," which presents an account of Walls's own grandmother's rugged life in the West in an emotional, freewheeling fictional form.

The New York Times - Books

"Pretty much.

The New York Times - Travel

A: Pretty much.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty much broke" in informal contexts when you want to convey a state of near-complete lack of funds or resources without being overly formal or technical.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much broke" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "nearly insolvent" or "financially strained" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much broke" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a state of being nearly without money. Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable phrase. The examples in Ludwig show it's used to describe personal or organizational financial situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Informal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty much broke" is a grammatically sound phrase, according to Ludwig AI, used to informally describe a state of near-complete financial hardship. While correct and understandable, its use is best suited for informal contexts, as it may be too casual for professional or academic writing. More formal alternatives like "nearly insolvent" or "financially strained" are preferable in those settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, reflecting its common usage in discussing financial situations in a relatable manner. When aiming for clarity and formality, consider using the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to broke

A more direct way of saying someone is nearly broke, close in meaning to the original phrase.

nearly bankrupt

Indicates a state very close to bankruptcy, similar to being broke.

almost penniless

Implies a situation of having very little to no money left, similar to "pretty much broke".

virtually insolvent

Suggests a condition where one's assets are insufficient to cover debts, similar to being broke.

on the verge of insolvency

Implies being on the brink of not being able to pay debts, a more formal version of being broke.

essentially destitute

Indicates a state of extreme poverty and lack of resources, much like being broke.

practically without funds

Highlights the lack of available money, comparable to being broke.

almost out of money

Expresses the near depletion of monetary resources, similar to "pretty much broke".

financially strained

Suggests a difficult financial situation, implying a lack of funds similar to being broke.

in dire financial straits

Indicates a severe financial hardship, similar to the implications of being broke.

FAQs

What does "pretty much broke" mean?

The phrase "pretty much broke" means to be nearly or almost completely without money or financial resources. It suggests a state of near-insolvency.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "pretty much broke"?

It's appropriate to use "pretty much broke" in informal settings or casual conversation when discussing financial situations. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What are some alternative ways to say "pretty much broke"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly bankrupt", "almost penniless", or "financially strained" depending on the context.

Is "pretty much broke" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pretty much broke" is grammatically correct in informal English. It's a common idiomatic expression used to convey a specific meaning.