pretty often

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty often" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is frequently used to indicate that something occurs more than occasionally, but not necessarily very frequently. For example: "I go hiking pretty often, usually once or twice a month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pretty often.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was right pretty often".

The New Yorker

"Pretty often," he said.

The New York Times

"The cops are by pretty often.

The New York Times

"Maybe not every day, but pretty often".

The New Yorker

We eat in the neighborhood pretty often.

The New York Times - Food

D.R.: It does happen pretty often.

The New Yorker

He comes here pretty often, but we leave him alone.

The New Yorker

Pretty often, but not as often as I'd like.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Police were called up there pretty often," she said.

The New York Times

On a good day, which is pretty often, I am a solid 5-foot-4.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty often" to indicate a frequency that is more than occasional but less than very frequent. It's suitable for describing habits, events, or situations that occur with noticeable regularity.

Common error

While "pretty often" is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "frequently" or "regularly" in academic or professional writing to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

"Pretty often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate frequency. Ludwig's examples show it describing how frequently actions occur, like visiting family or calling the police. The Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty often" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a frequency greater than occasional but less than very frequent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While suitable for many contexts, including news and general conversation, more formal options like "frequently" or "regularly" are advisable for academic or professional writing. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, its versatility allows it to describe various recurring events and habits, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite frequently

Emphasizes a slightly higher degree of frequency compared to "pretty often".

fairly regularly

Highlights the consistent nature of the occurrence.

with some regularity

Highlights the pattern of occurrence, suggesting it is not entirely random.

somewhat frequently

Suggests a moderate level of frequency.

more often than not

Indicates that something happens more times than it doesn't.

rather frequently

Similar to "quite frequently" but with a slightly more formal tone.

not infrequently

A more formal way of saying "pretty often", indicating that something happens with some regularity.

on several occasions

Focuses on the number of times something happens rather than the regularity.

from time to time

Implies less regularity and more sporadic occurrences.

at times

Similar to "from time to time" but even less frequent.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty often" to describe how frequently an action is performed. For example, "I visit my family "pretty often"" means you visit them more than occasionally but not all the time.

What phrases are similar to "pretty often"?

Alternatives include "quite frequently", "fairly regularly", or "somewhat frequently". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "pretty often" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pretty often" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for alternatives like "frequently" or "regularly" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "pretty often" and "very often"?

"Pretty often" indicates a frequency that is more than occasional but not necessarily high. "Very often" suggests a higher frequency than "pretty often", implying that something happens quite a lot.