pretty much done

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty much done" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is close to being completed or finished. For example: "I'm pretty much done with the report, I just need to proofread it one more time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everything is pretty much done".

The Guardian - Sport

"I was pretty much done".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're pretty much done," DeOssie said.

The New York Times - Sports

We've pretty much done it in Washington.

The New York Times - Arts

He looks pretty much done in.

The Guardian - Film

We're pretty much done with our definitions here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's pretty much done," she said, matter-of-factly.

The New York Times

By 9 30, crowd control was pretty much done.

The New York Times - Magazine

Put this baby to sleep, it's pretty much done.

The Guardian

"He said they were pretty much done in 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was pretty much done with fiction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty much done" to convey a sense of near completion, but acknowledge that minor tasks might still be outstanding. It's suitable for informal communication and casual reporting.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much done" when significant work remains. It can mislead stakeholders if they interpret it as full completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much done" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the extent to which an action or state is completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty much done" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a state close to completion. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in informal and neutral contexts, such as news articles, and everyday conversations. While highly frequent, Ludwig AI emphasizes the importance of considering the context, as the phrase carries an informal tone. For more formal situations, it's advisable to use alternatives like "almost finished" or "nearly complete". The phrase is used to effectively communicate progress and manage expectations, it's a handy tool for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost finished

Indicates a state very close to completion, with a slightly more formal tone.

nearly complete

Similar to 'almost finished' but emphasizes the degree of completion.

virtually finished

Implies completion in all practical senses, even if minor details remain.

essentially complete

Highlights that the most important parts are finished, even if some minor tasks are pending.

basically over

Suggests that the core activity is finished, with a more casual tone.

close to being done

Emphasizes the proximity to the finished state.

as good as finished

Indicates a high likelihood of completion, suggesting minimal remaining effort.

practically complete

Stresses the practical aspect of completion, meaning it's complete for all intents and purposes.

in the home stretch

An idiomatic expression suggesting the final phase of completion, typically used for longer projects.

drawing to a close

Describes something in the process of ending, often used for events or processes.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty much done" to indicate that something is nearing completion. For example, "I'm "pretty much done" with the presentation; I just need to add the conclusion."

What are some alternatives to "pretty much done"?

Alternatives include "almost finished", "nearly complete", or "virtually finished". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "pretty much done" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty much done" is generally considered informal. Opt for more formal alternatives like "nearly complete" or "essentially complete" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "pretty much done" and "completely finished"?

"Pretty much done" suggests that only minor details remain, while "completely finished" indicates that nothing further needs to be done. "Pretty much done" implies a slightly less definitive state than "completely finished".