pretty sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty sorry" is grammatically correct English, however it has a very informal tone.
You might use it when speaking to someone close to you, for example: "I'm pretty sorry about not having enough time to meet up this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

We felt pretty sorry for you – until you started moaning.

Independent

"The TV is pretty sorry," she let me know.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I feel pretty sorry for her," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think they were pretty sorry they got caught".

The New York Times

It's all a pretty sorry state of affairs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those looking can start feeling pretty sorry for themselves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I sent him a text yesterday saying I'm sorry and I'm pretty regretful for what happened".

The New York Times - Sports

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The New Yorker

Lauren Bans refused to feel bad about her Rosh Hashana quip: "The Jewish New Year has been pretty good shofar (Sorry!) (Not sorry!)" And Shira cracked herself up with her wit: "Spent 2 hours organizing my medicine cabinet guess I got apothecarried away hahahha".

Huffington Post

And, sorry, pretty boys, but let me be frank: Sometimes you bore me, whereas they rarely do.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using alternative expressions such as "really sorry" or "somewhat regretful" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty sorry" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "sincerely regretful" or "deeply apologetic" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty sorry" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a state of being or feeling. It is typically used to express a mild degree of regret, sympathy, or disappointment. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct but informal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty sorry" is a grammatically correct but informal way to express regret or sympathy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news and media sources. While suitable for casual communication, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic contexts, such as "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret". Alternatives like "really sorry" or "somewhat regretful" can be used to subtly adjust the intensity of the sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really sorry

Emphasizes a stronger feeling of regret compared to "pretty sorry".

quite sorry

Similar in intensity to "pretty sorry", but may sound slightly more formal.

somewhat regretful

Indicates a moderate level of regret, similar to "pretty sorry".

a little remorseful

Suggests a mild feeling of guilt or regret.

mildly apologetic

Highlights the act of apologizing with a moderate level of sincerity.

slightly saddened

Focuses on the feeling of sadness associated with the situation.

somewhat disappointed

Emphasizes the disappointment felt due to a particular outcome or situation.

a bit contrite

Implies a feeling of remorse and willingness to atone for one's actions.

not entirely pleased

Understates the feeling of regret or dissatisfaction.

rather unfortunate

Focuses on the unfortunate nature of the situation that caused the regret.

FAQs

Is "pretty sorry" too informal for professional emails?

Yes, "pretty sorry" is generally too informal for professional emails. Use more formal alternatives such as "sincerely regret" or "deeply apologize" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "pretty sorry" that I can use in a formal setting?

In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "sincerely apologetic", "deeply regretful", or "truly remorseful". These phrases convey a higher degree of sincerity and respect.

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

You can use "pretty sorry" to express mild regret or sympathy, such as "I'm pretty sorry to hear about your loss" or "I'm pretty sorry I couldn't make it to your party".

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

"Very sorry" expresses a stronger degree of regret or sympathy than "pretty sorry". Use "very sorry" when you want to emphasize the depth of your feelings.