pretty much guys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty much guys" is informal but can be used in written English, particularly in casual contexts.
It can be used when you want to convey a sense of approximation or agreement among a group of people, often in a conversational tone. Example: "So, pretty much guys, we all agree that the project deadline needs to be extended."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Anybody that throws exceptionally hard, it's pretty much guys who get that control at a later age".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The establishment guys, pretty much all guys, have the upper hand for now but clearly got a little surprised by the strength of the anti-Boehner rebellion in the Speaker election.

Huffington Post

It's those videos and the chemically contorted faces people are pulling in them that got me thinking about the guys (and it is pretty much exclusively guys) who provide overseas festivals with drugs.

Vice

Luckily, these are good guys (and yes, it was pretty much all guys).

Huffington Post

In Master of None, Dev navigates his career, romantic entanglements, and family obligations things that Indian guys, and pretty much every guy and gal on Earth, deals with in real life.

Vice

"I don't know if it would just be a young guy, but pretty much any guy.

Los Angeles Times

"They are pretty much regular guys," Chandler says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Being on the road with rock, it's pretty much 90 percent guys," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Pretty much, the guy had six monkeys in his place," said John Reyes, an animal control officer.

The New York Times

"He was pretty much the guy who opened up the can of worms," said Matt Whitfield of Chatham.

The New York Times - Sports

"As the draft approached, we looked at him harder and harder and decided he was pretty much our guy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty much guys", ensure your audience understands the informal nature of the phrase. It's suitable for casual conversations or informal writing but avoid it in formal reports or academic papers.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "pretty much guys". While it's acceptable in informal settings, repeatedly using such phrases in professional or academic writing can undermine your credibility. Vary your language to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty much guys" functions as a qualifier combined with a noun. It modifies the noun "guys", indicating that a statement or observation applies to almost all members of that group, and Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pretty much guys" is an informal expression used to generalize about a group of men, suggesting a shared characteristic or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms that while the phrase is acceptable, it's best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "almost all men" or "nearly all the men" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when using such phrases to ensure clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the most part, the guys

Adds slight nuance, showing there might be exceptions but that they are minimal.

nearly all the men

A straightforward substitution, focusing on quantity, being a more direct synonym.

almost all men

Emphasizes quantity, referring to nearly the entire group, shifting focus from agreement to prevalence.

virtually all the fellows

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative, denoting near completeness within a male group.

mainly the dudes

Substitutes with the colloquial term "dudes", keeping a similar level of informality and modernness.

basically the chaps

Replaces "guys" with "chaps", altering the tone to be more British and informal.

practically all the blokes

Similar to 'basically the chaps', replaces 'guys' with the British term 'blokes'.

essentially all of the gentlemen

Formalizes the expression, replacing "guys" with "gentlemen" to create a polite and respectful tone.

more or less the men

Introduces a slightly less precise estimation, conveying a rough approximation.

largely the males

Uses a more scientific or detached tone by referring to "males" instead of "guys".

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty much guys" to indicate a general agreement or common trait among a group of males in an informal context. For example, "Pretty much guys, we're all thinking the same thing".

What phrases are similar to "pretty much guys"?

Similar phrases include "almost all men", "nearly all the men", or "for the most part, the guys". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "pretty much guys" in formal writing?

No, "pretty much guys" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "essentially all of the gentlemen" or "virtually all the fellows" to maintain a polished and respectful tone.

What does "pretty much guys" imply?

"Pretty much guys" typically implies that a statement applies to almost all members of a male group, suggesting a high degree of commonality or shared experience among them.