pretty much certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty much certain" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to express that something is almost certain or very likely. Example sentence: I'm pretty much certain that I passed the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Access to sound is pretty much certain," she said.

Independent

Greece, of course, have to win or they're pretty much certain to be out of here.

The Guardian - Sport

Galaxy are pretty much certain for a postseason slot, but their Supporters' Shield hopes are vanishing fast – they sit seven points behind Dallas with six games to play.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am pretty much certain that this will be the first instance of such a feat in the modern Premier League era [it is - Knowledge] but does this also extend to the pre-Premier League game as well?" "Has a goalkeeper ever won a penalty?" tweets Charles Pulling.

The Guardian - Sport

We'll be seeing iOS 7 for the first time — thats pretty much certain.

TechCrunch

It is "pretty much certain" that everything stolen in the Hatton Garden raid will have been moved on and will not be recovered, according to a loss adjuster.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Just as there are "safe seats" in UK elections, there are certain states where it's pretty much already certain who will win.

Vice

Together, and apart, they pretty much bankroll certain areas of the media. .

Vice

Going into the studio and pretty much doing certain things to a mix because I knew they would sound so good on the system at The Loft.

Vice

Producer François Kevorkian who is known for his impeccable sonic mixes recently wrote that he would "go into the studio and pretty much do certain things to a mix because [he] knew they would sound so good on the system at the Loft".

Vice

His MO is pretty much taking a certain era of classic Americana that we take for granted like prohibition mafiosos and Marlboro man cowboys and giving these looks (that have since been abandoned and left to die on costume store shelves) the much needed Japanese revisit they deserve.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty much certain" when you want to convey a high degree of confidence but without stating something as an absolute fact. This acknowledges a small possibility of error.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much certain" in situations where absolute certainty is required or implied. Instead, opt for stronger phrases like "undeniable" or "guaranteed" if the context demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much certain" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or pronoun. It indicates a high degree of probability or likelihood, though stopping short of absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty much certain" is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase used to express a strong likelihood or confidence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While the examples found by Ludwig indicate that it is most frequently used in News & Media, it is also found in scientific and general contexts. When writing, consider the level of formality required; more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "highly likely" or "virtually certain". The key is to use the phrase where a strong degree of certainty is intended, but absolute certainty cannot be guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost certain

Substitutes "pretty much" with "almost", indicating a slightly higher degree of certainty.

virtually certain

Replaces "pretty much" with "virtually", implying near absolute certainty.

highly likely

Uses "highly likely" instead of "certain", softening the tone while maintaining a strong probability.

very likely

Emphasizes likelihood using "very" instead of "pretty much".

practically guaranteed

Indicates an expectation that something is almost assured to happen.

near certain

Uses "near" to convey almost complete certainty.

assured

Expresses confidence without quantifying it.

definitely probable

Combines "definitely" to reinforce the likelihood.

in all likelihood

Rephrases the idea as a general assessment of probability.

most likely

A more common and slightly less emphatic alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty much certain" to express a high degree of confidence or likelihood about something. For example, "I am "pretty much certain" that I locked the door" or "It's "pretty much certain" that the project will be completed on time".

What phrases are similar to "pretty much certain"?

Alternatives to "pretty much certain" include "almost certain", "highly likely", "very likely", or "virtually certain". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pretty much certain" formal or informal?

"Pretty much certain" leans toward the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "highly likely" or "virtually certain".

Can "pretty much certain" be used in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty much certain" might be perceived as too informal for strict academic writing. Alternatives such as "highly likely" or "almost certain" are typically preferred for their more formal tone.