pretty regularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty regularly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurs with a fair degree of frequency, but not necessarily on a strict schedule. Example: "I go to the gym pretty regularly, usually about three times a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We do barbecue pretty regularly.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're getting shut down pretty regularly now".

The New York Times

I figured I'd fly pretty regularly.

The Economist

The Coens manage it pretty regularly.

The Guardian - Film

Ships disappear pretty regularly and with impunity.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The next thing I knew, he was playing pretty regularly.

The New York Times - Sports

-Despite city being submerged for thousands of years, 6 train still running pretty regularly.

The New Yorker

It turns out that linesmen had been missing offside calls pretty regularly, and nobody had noticed.

The Guardian - Sport

"We've been using it pretty regularly for about six months now," says Sub Pop's Jacobs.

The Guardian - Music

"I want them back in my life pretty regularly," Ms. Burton said.

The New York Times

"The team is doing it pretty regularly at the moment," he sighed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty regularly" to describe actions or events that occur with noticeable frequency but not necessarily on a strict schedule. It is suitable for both spoken and written contexts, providing a middle ground between "sometimes" and "very often".

Common error

While versatile, "pretty regularly" might sound too informal in highly formal writing such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "frequently", "routinely", or "on a regular basis" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty regularly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate how frequently an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it describing habits, events, or occurrences that happen with notable frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty regularly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions or events that occur with noticeable frequency but not necessarily on a strict schedule. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It's commonly found in news and media contexts and has a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, consider the context and whether a more formal alternative like "frequently" might be more appropriate. The phrase is generally well-understood and widely used, as evidenced by its high occurrence in various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly regularly

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal in tone.

reasonably often

Indicates a moderate level of frequency.

rather frequently

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

quite often

Emphasizes frequency, possibly more often than "pretty regularly".

routinely

Suggests that something happens as a matter of course.

somewhat frequently

Suggests a less intense regularity.

consistently

Highlights the unchanging and dependable nature of frequency.

on a frequent basis

More formal and emphasizes the consistent nature of the occurrence.

at consistent intervals

Emphasizes the scheduled or patterned nature of the frequency.

with some regularity

Highlights the presence of a pattern or schedule, however loose.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty regularly" to describe actions that happen with some frequency but not on a strict schedule. For example, "I visit my parents "pretty regularly", about once a month".

What are some alternatives to "pretty regularly"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "fairly regularly", "quite often", or "somewhat frequently". Choose the alternative that best fits the tone and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "pretty regularly" too informal for academic writing?

In some cases, yes. While acceptable in news articles and less formal contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "frequently", or "routinely" in academic papers to maintain a professional tone.

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

"Very regularly" implies a higher degree of frequency and consistency compared to "pretty regularly". Use "very regularly" when you want to emphasize that something happens almost all the time, whereas "pretty regularly" suggests a noticeable but not constant occurrence.