pretty much clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty much clear" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is generally understood and is not complicated. For example: "The instructions were pretty much clear, so I knew exactly what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It was pretty much clear that someone would be caught sooner or later," he said.

The New York Times

For his part, Maxwell seems to have kept pretty much clear of the tangle.

The New York Times - Books

That was pretty much clear midway through the final period, when a shot by Sandis Ozolinsh hit the inside of the left post, then slid behind Richter just off the goal line through the crease and past the right post.

The New York Times - Sports

But now, as Wired clarifies what was pretty much clear from the start (it only protects against the current exploit), it has found a new place to shine.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Which pretty much clears that up.

The New York Times - Sports

In the old days, Mr. Bernstein said, Tuesday nights used to go on until 3 or 4 the next morning, but now Nathan's is pretty much cleared out by 11 30.

The New York Times

"We've pretty much cleared the area... there are no further devices that we've located.... I'm not prepared to say that we are at ease at this point in time".

The Guardian

They talked to the stations and pretty much cleared the music for the radio stations.

Huffington Post

"I think we pretty much cleared [the ball] every time or at least stopped them from getting a shot off". In the first half, Prep had two good chances prior to Russell's goal.

Los Angeles Times

To Scalia, the Constitution is pretty much always clear.

The New Yorker

That pretty much became clear when Muckler refused to insert Malhotra into the lineup in recent weeks even after the lackluster play of another center -- the reclamation project Alexandre Daigle -- clearly left the coach upset.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty much clear" to convey a sense of near certainty without claiming absolute certainty. This acknowledges potential nuances or minor exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much clear" when the situation involves high stakes or requires precise accuracy. In such cases, opt for more definitive language or provide specific evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much clear" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to express the degree to which something is obvious or certain. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a high level of clarity, stopping just short of absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

TechCrunch

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty much clear" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express a high degree of certainty or obviousness, according to Ludwig AI. While it isn't appropriate for formal or scientific writing, it commonly appears in news and media contexts. Its rarity suggests it's not overused, making it a viable option for conveying near certainty without absolute commitment. The related phrases offer a range of alternatives with varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely obvious

Emphasizes the extent to which something is already known or understood.

almost certain

Focuses on the high probability of something being true or happening.

virtually certain

Highlights a very slight possibility of doubt, but still implies strong conviction.

mostly obvious

Suggests that the primary aspects are clear, but some minor details might be less so.

quite apparent

Indicates that something is easily perceived or understood.

fairly obvious

Implies a slightly lower degree of certainty compared to "pretty much clear".

substantially evident

More formal, emphasizing a strong presence of evidence.

basically obvious

Simplifies the idea to fundamental clarity.

essentially obvious

Points to the core, unmistakable nature of something.

readily apparent

Highlights the ease and speed with which something can be understood.

FAQs

What does "pretty much clear" mean?

The phrase "pretty much clear" suggests that something is almost, but not entirely, obvious or certain. It implies a high degree of clarity with a slight possibility of remaining ambiguity.

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

You can use it to describe situations where the outcome is highly predictable or the meaning is easily understood. For example, "After reviewing the data, the conclusion was "pretty much clear"".

Are there any synonyms for "pretty much clear"?

Yes, alternatives include "largely obvious", "almost certain", or "fairly obvious". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While grammatically correct, "pretty much clear" leans towards the informal side. In highly formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "substantially evident" or "readily apparent".