pretty routine

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty routine" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you are describing something that is familiar or typical and not out of the ordinary. For example: "My daily commute to work is pretty routine; it's the same every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So it's pretty routine".

The New York Times

Firing across the LOC is pretty routine.

The Economist

For fans of the sport, here's a really pretty routine.

The New York Times

After a stirring opening battle, however, the fights in "True Legend" become pretty routine.

The New York Times

Still, all in all, it had been a pretty routine job for the Horizon.

The New York Times

"A lot of what they've done is pretty routine," she said.

The New York Times

Other than the fact that I was naked at the time, it was pretty routine.

The Washington Post

That is, it was intellectual work, but it was pretty routine, algorithmic kind of work.

Harvard Business Review

"Play-offs!" For the Devils, making the playoffs is pretty routine, nothing to get excited about.

The New York Times - Sports

"The pro-gun vote is primarily made up of white men who vote Republican on a pretty routine basis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For six years, tour operator John Martin's Super Bowl packages have been pretty routine--a hotel room for three nights and a ticket to the game.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty routine" to describe tasks, procedures, or events that occur regularly and are not considered exceptional. For instance, "The morning meeting is a "pretty routine" affair."

Common error

While "pretty routine" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing or presentations. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "standard practice" or "customary procedure" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty routine" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes something as being typical, ordinary, or commonplace. Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty routine" is a commonly used phrase to describe something ordinary or typical. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. While predominantly found in News & Media, it also surfaces in Formal & Business settings. Although generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the formality of the context and opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "standard practice" in highly formal situations. The phrase effectively communicates a lack of exceptionalism, making it useful for downplaying significance or emphasizing predictability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly typical

Replaces "routine" with "typical", emphasizing the commonness of something.

quite ordinary

Substitutes both words, highlighting the lack of special or unusual qualities.

rather standard

Uses "standard" instead of "routine", focusing on conformity to a norm or expectation.

somewhat commonplace

Replaces "routine" with "commonplace", suggesting something frequently encountered.

nothing out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the absence of anything unusual or unexpected.

generally unexceptional

Emphasizes the lack of remarkable qualities or deviation from the norm.

largely unremarkable

Highlights that something does not stand out or attract attention.

mostly predictable

Shifts the focus to the ease with which something can be anticipated.

customary practice

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal term emphasizing tradition or established usage.

business as usual

Indicates that operations or activities are proceeding in a normal, expected manner, often after a disruption.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty routine" to describe something that is common or ordinary. For instance, "Filing the monthly report is a "pretty routine" task for the accounting team".

What are some alternatives to "pretty routine"?

Alternatives to "pretty routine" include "fairly typical", "quite ordinary", or "rather standard", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "pretty routine" too informal for business writing?

While "pretty routine" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "standard practice" or "customary procedure" in business documents to maintain a professional tone.

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

"Pretty routine" implies something is somewhat ordinary, while "very routine" suggests a higher degree of ordinariness or predictability. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.