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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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pretty no one

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty no one" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that does not convey a clear meaning or context. Example: "In this situation, pretty no one showed up to the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When you are pretty, no one notices that you are also uncoordinated.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Besides, if I don't think someone is hot, or if they don't think I'm pretty, no one ever finds out".

News & Media

The New York Times

Normally we don't care for these kind of publicity stunts, but this is awfully pretty, no one (yet) is making "Falling Man" comparisons, and lastly, we're impressed Thinkmodo eluded Ray Kelly's anti-aircraft capabilities.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

From that night on, when we were pretty sure no one else would check on us, she'd climb into my bunk.

News & Media

The Guardian

That's not too shabby — but that's also with, you know, pretty much no one on the network.

News & Media

TechCrunch

I am pretty sure no one is planning on getting married in this room tonight, thus, I deduce that this must be our funeral.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Pretty soon no-one knows who made which changes and the docment is a mess.

News & Media

TechCrunch

He also loves English biscuits and Indian sweets, which is mad because pretty much no-one likes Indian sweets.

News & Media

Vice

I'm not an expert on Catholicism, but I'm pretty sure no one gets absolved while wearing a red satin corset.

News & Media

Huffington Post

So it was almost refreshing to find myself on a ride that I was pretty sure no one under 18 could appreciate the way I could: the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Pretty much no one wishes to communicate with people like me, a fairly typical, I believe, 63-year-old female.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "pretty no one" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "almost no one" or "hardly anyone".

Common error

Be cautious when combining informal intensifiers like "pretty" with negative quantifiers like "no one". This combination can sound awkward or incorrect. Instead, choose standard alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty no one" functions as a quantifier, attempting to express a very small quantity of people, though it is grammatically unconventional. Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect usage, suggesting that while the individual words are valid, their combination is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pretty no one" might seem like a straightforward way to express that very few people are involved, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is best avoided in formal writing. Ludwig identifies it as an incorrect combination. More suitable alternatives like "almost no one", "hardly anyone", or "virtually no one" provide clearer and more grammatically sound options. While present in some media contexts, sticking to established phrases ensures better clarity and credibility in your writing.

FAQs

Is "pretty no one" grammatically correct?

No, "pretty no one" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "almost no one" or "hardly anyone" instead.

What are some alternatives to "pretty no one"?

You can use alternatives such as "virtually no one", "practically no one", or "scarcely anyone" depending on the context.

How can I use "almost no one" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Almost no one /s/attended the meeting due to the storm."

What's the difference between "pretty no one" and "almost no one"?

"Pretty no one" is considered grammatically incorrect, while "almost no one" is a standard and accepted phrase to indicate that very few people are involved or present.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: