pretty so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty so" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct in standard contexts.
It could be used informally to express agreement or affirmation, but it is not widely recognized. Example: "I think the movie was quite good, and I would say it was pretty so."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some may associate her pastel shades with prettiness, but they are not pretty so much as full of light.

Independent

On the home page of theuglybugball reads the encouraging homily: "Half of daters aren't pretty so instead of fishing in a small pool of prettiness and getting nowhere, dive into an ocean of uglies and have more choice".

Independent

I don't like pretty, so I don't feel badly.

The New Yorker

"So pretty, so soulful, with beautiful hound-dog eyes".

The New York Times

That she is pretty, so not quite beautiful.

The Guardian - Film

I thought she was pretty, so I agreed".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

However, if we were to generalize for both the quarter and full year, it would probably be along these lines: Exits were pretty so-so.

TechCrunch

Looks pretty but so cold!

The Guardian

It's been pretty good so far.

The New York Times

"I consider us pretty lucky so far".

The New York Times

It was pretty cool so we were pretty shocked".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically standard alternatives like "quite so" or "rather so" for clarity and broader acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty so" in formal writing or professional communication. It may sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers, undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty so" functions as an adverbial phrase used informally to express agreement or affirmation. However, Ludwig indicates it's not widely recognized. Its usage is limited, and standard alternatives like "quite so" are preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Social Media

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty so" is an infrequently used phrase that attempts to convey agreement or affirmation. While understandable in informal contexts, it's generally advisable to use more standard alternatives like "quite so" or "rather so" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not widely recognized and could be perceived as awkward in formal settings. The phrase appears in varied sources, primarily News & Media and Wiki, with a predominantly informal tone. In conclusion, while "pretty so" isn't incorrect, there are clearer and more widely accepted options available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite so

Emphasizes agreement or affirmation, similar to "pretty so" but more standard.

rather so

Indicates a degree of agreement, slightly more formal than "pretty so".

somewhat pretty

Expresses a partial agreement about someone's prettiness.

fairly attractive

Suggests a moderate level of attractiveness.

moderately beautiful

Indicates beauty to a limited extent.

kind of pretty

Suggests a casual assessment of prettiness.

somewhat attractive

Expresses a mild level of attractiveness.

passably pretty

Suggests that someone meets the minimum requirement of being pretty.

more or less attractive

Shows there is some uncertainty about the level of attractiveness.

not unattractive

Uses a double negative to indicate that someone is somewhat pretty.

FAQs

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

While not standard, "pretty so" can be used informally to express agreement. Example: "I think the movie was quite good, and I would say it was pretty so."

What are some alternatives to "pretty so"?

You can use alternatives like "quite so" or "rather so", depending on the context.

Is "pretty so" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "pretty so" is not considered grammatically standard English and may sound awkward. Ludwig AI states the phrase could be used informally, but is not widely recognized.

When is it appropriate to use "pretty so"?

It is best used in informal settings where a casual tone is acceptable. However, it's generally safer to opt for more conventional phrases like "quite so" or "rather so", especially in writing.