pretty much ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty much ever" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or colloquial.
It can be used in casual conversation or informal writing to imply that something is true in almost every instance or situation. Example: "I've pretty much ever been interested in science since I was a child."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's been downhill pretty much ever since.

The Guardian - Sport

Which, of course, she can't, pretty much ever.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have remained there pretty much ever since.

The New York Times

It is a topic "I have wanted to do for pretty much ever," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Pretty much ever since the 60s, America had been the undisputed centre of business.

The Guardian

No wonder it's been building to that moment pretty much ever since they departed the Sarrià in 1997.

The Guardian - Sport

Hillary Clinton, objectively the most qualified candidate for president in pretty much ever, is cleaning up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cat: That sounds like the most adventurous, truthful idea I've pretty much ever heard.

The Guardian

The battle over ANWR (pronounced "an-war") has been raging pretty much ever since that day.

The New Yorker

A friend introduced me to his manager and we have been together on and off pretty much ever since.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ms. Arngrim has been working pretty much nonstop ever since.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty much ever", consider your audience and the context. It's best suited for informal writing and conversations. In more formal settings, opt for alternatives like "almost always" or "nearly always."

Common error

Avoid using "pretty much ever" in formal documents such as academic papers, business reports, or official correspondence. Its informal tone can undermine your credibility and professionalism in these settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much ever" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or verb phrase to indicate frequency or duration. It implies that something is true or has been happening in almost all instances or for a considerable time. Ludwig examples show it is generally used to amplify or exaggerate a statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty much ever" functions as an adverbial phrase used to emphasize the consistency or duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI considers its grammatical status as acceptable, although informal, and its frequency is very common. While "pretty much ever" is commonly found in news and media, particularly in informal contexts, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "almost always" or "nearly always" in academic and professional settings. Using "pretty much ever" can add emphasis and personality to your writing, but it is important to consider your audience and the overall tone of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost always

Replaces "pretty much" with "almost", focusing on near-constant occurrence.

nearly always

Similar to "almost always", but with a slightly different nuance.

practically always

Emphasizes the realistic likelihood of something occurring.

virtually always

Highlights the condition being true in almost every case.

in almost every instance

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal phrasing.

for the most part always

Highlights a tendency more than a rule.

almost without exception

Stresses the rarity of deviations from the described behavior.

generally speaking always

Introduces a general rule.

in almost every case

Similar to "in almost every instance", but emphasizes specificity.

more often than not

Highlights a strong tendency, but not an absolute one.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty much ever" to indicate that something has been happening or has been true for a long time or in almost all instances. For example: "I've been interested in science "pretty much ever" since I was a child."

What can I say instead of "pretty much ever"?

You can use alternatives like "almost always", "nearly always", or "in almost every instance" depending on the context.

Is "pretty much ever" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "pretty much ever" is considered informal. It's acceptable in casual conversation but less appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between "pretty much ever" and "almost always"?

"Pretty much ever" is more colloquial and conveys a slightly more emphatic sense of continuity or frequency than "almost always", which is more formal.