pretty standard fare

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty standard fare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is common or unremarkable. For example, "The menu offerings at this restaurant are pretty standard fare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The SD4000's other specs are pretty standard fare.

The New York Times

But Heinlein's books were pretty standard fare compared with what Bradbury wrote.

The New York Times

The rooms are pretty standard fare but the location is what you're after.

The Guardian - Travel

"Jodi Breakers" is, in the end, pretty standard fare, though it's enlivened by a couple of amusing dance numbers, including one in which Ms. Basu is her own scantily clad item girl.

The New York Times

As if to demonstrate what you wouldn't be seeing, the first song of her late set on Sunday night at the Jazz Standard -- where she was finishing a week of performances -- was pretty standard fare.

The New York Times - Arts

The gritty London setting, DI Jack Carrigan the maverick cop, and DS Geneva Miller the sidekick who's been tasked with spying on him for their mutual boss are all, on the face of it, pretty standard fare.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The remote is pretty standard Media-Center fare.

TechCrunch

Users can ask the Nucleus to check on the weather, add items to the grocery list and stream songs through Prime Music, iHeartRadio and TuneIn — pretty standard Alexa fare, really.

TechCrunch

Aside from the rugged-ness, a built-in accelerometer, and the 180-degree resistive touchscreen, the innards of the PeeWee are pretty standard netbook fare: 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 8.9-inch screen at 1024×600, 1GB of RAM, 60GB hard drive, six-cell battery, webcam, and XP Home.

TechCrunch

Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, said of the episode: "pretty standard early fare, with the series not quite hitting its stride".

Wikipedia

Today, that's pretty much standard fare; back then it felt daring and new.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty standard fare" to describe something that is typical, common, and not particularly noteworthy. It's suitable for conveying that something is unexceptional.

Common error

While "pretty standard fare" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing or presentations. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "commonplace" or "typical" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty standard fare" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. It serves to characterize something as typical, ordinary, or unremarkable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty standard fare" is a descriptive phrase indicating something is typical and unremarkable. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, with a neutral register making it suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While appropriate for general conversation, it's advisable to use more formal synonyms in academic or highly professional settings. When you aim to convey that something is nothing out of the ordinary, "pretty standard fare" serves as a straightforward and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical stuff

Replaces "fare" with "stuff", slightly more informal.

commonplace

A single-word synonym, more concise and slightly more formal.

garden-variety

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of distinction.

run-of-the-mill

Highlights the average and unremarkable nature.

nothing special

A more direct and simple expression of the same idea.

ordinary

A simpler and more general term for commonness.

the norm

Focuses on the typicality of something, suggesting it's what's expected.

usual suspect

Implies predictability and lack of surprise.

par for the course

An idiomatic expression indicating something is typical and expected, often in a negative context.

nothing to write home about

An idiomatic expression indicating something is not noteworthy or exciting.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty standard fare" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty standard fare" to describe something that is common or unremarkable. For example, "The menu at the restaurant was "pretty standard fare", nothing out of the ordinary."

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty standard fare"?

Alternatives to "pretty standard fare" include "typical stuff", "commonplace", or "run-of-the-mill", depending on the context.

Is "pretty standard fare" too informal for professional writing?

While "pretty standard fare" is generally acceptable, it might be considered slightly informal for very formal or academic writing. In such cases, using terms like "typical" or "common" might be more appropriate.

What does "pretty standard fare" imply about something?

"Pretty standard fare" implies that something is ordinary, typical, and not particularly remarkable or special. It suggests a lack of uniqueness or exceptional qualities.