pretty near

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty near" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is almost or very close to a certain state or condition. Example: "We are pretty near the end of the project." Alternative expressions include "almost" and "nearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Chopin was pretty near, too.

The New York Times - Arts

"We're pretty near bottom, don't you think?" Walling said.

The New York Times - Sports

The cast of four does everything, or pretty near, much of it smashingly.

The New York Times

While the products that use the term are by definition limited, the notion itself is pretty near ubiquitous.

Independent

Some of the vaccines were pretty near experimental, yet our men survived, whipped the Axis powers and came home with a positive attitude toward public health.

The New York Times

But with the exception of a somewhat distracting third-act cameo by co-producer Brad Pitt, it is pitched pretty near perfectly in terms of sheer narrative craftsmanship.

The Guardian - Film

A skilled diplomat in negotiations with North Korea and the talks that ended fighting in Bosnia, Mr. Hill called Iraq his most formidable challenge, where "the easy is difficult, the difficult is pretty near impossible".

The New York Times

"The current system is a pretty near nightmare to negotiate," he said.

BBC

Such is the case with The Black Box, a crime thriller that is pretty near perfection.

Huffington Post

And if we're honest, most of us were already running on fumes - our wells were pretty near empty.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bouchra Jarrar, the Balenciaga alum who shows her ready-to-wear collection on the haute couture calendar, has quickly become the go-to designer for discreet, graphic and pretty-near-perfect day clothes (the perfectly piped trench, for example).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty near" to soften a statement when you want to express approximation without being overly precise. For example, "The project is pretty near completion" sounds less definitive than "The project is complete."

Common error

While "pretty near" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise language like "almost" or "nearly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty near" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating approximation or closeness to a specified condition, quantity, or location. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty near" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express approximation or closeness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in many contexts, especially in news and media, but may be less suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using alternatives such as "almost" or "nearly" for more formal settings. Remember to avoid overuse and ensure it aligns with the desired tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost

This alternative provides a more direct and concise way to express that something is close to a certain state or condition.

nearly

This is a synonym of "almost" and serves as another straightforward alternative to express approximation.

close to

This phrase emphasizes the proximity to a specific condition or state, similar to "pretty near".

practically

This indicates that something is virtually the same as something else, very similar in meaning to "pretty near".

virtually

Similar to "practically", this term suggests that something is so close to being true or in a particular state that the difference is negligible.

just about

This phrase is a more informal way of saying "almost" or "nearly".

approaching

This alternative suggests movement toward a particular state or condition, implying nearness.

in the vicinity of

This phrase focuses on physical or metaphorical proximity, indicating that something is close to a certain point or state.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", this phrase suggests an approximate location or quantity.

getting close to

This phrase emphasizes the process of nearing a specific state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty near" in a sentence?

"Pretty near" can be used to express that something is close to a certain state or condition. For example, "We are "pretty near" the deadline for the project."

What are some alternatives to "pretty near"?

You can use alternatives like "almost", "nearly", or "close to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pretty near"?

Yes, "pretty near" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English. It is often used in informal contexts to mean "almost" or "nearly".

What is the difference between "pretty near" and "very near"?

"Pretty near" implies an approximation or closeness to a state or condition, while "very near" typically refers to physical proximity. For example, "The concert is "pretty near" sold out" versus "The store is "very near" my house."