pretty true

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty true" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is mostly or mostly true, but with a small amount of doubt or uncertainty. For example: - "I think that statement is pretty true, but there may be some exceptions." - "Her explanation was pretty true, but I still had a few questions." - "It's pretty true that he's a good student, but sometimes he can be a bit lazy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Pretty true.

The Guardian

And it is pretty true.

The Guardian - Tech

'But it is pretty true!

The Guardian

"But we do feel the article is pretty true.

The New York Times

"The movie came out pretty true to form," she said.

The New York Times

On this national birthday, his jazzy gerrymanderings ring pretty true.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

HPC: It seems pretty genuine and true to the types of conversations that comedians actually have.

HuffPost

Pretty much true.

The Guardian - Film

This is pretty much true.

The Guardian - Film

The claims are pretty much true.

The New York Times

"The analysis was pretty damning," True says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty true" to convey a nuanced sense of agreement, where you acknowledge the general truth of a statement but allow for minor exceptions or variations.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty true" when you fully agree with a statement. Opt for stronger affirmations like "absolutely true" or "entirely correct" to convey complete agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty true" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a statement or idea. It indicates the degree of truth associated with something. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable expression. The phrase suggests that something is mostly accurate, but perhaps not entirely so.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pretty true" is a common and grammatically correct way to express qualified agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that a statement is mostly accurate, but potentially with minor inaccuracies or exceptions. Usage analysis reveals that it's most frequently found in News & Media sources, with a neutral register that makes it widely applicable. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and consider stronger alternatives like "absolutely true" if you intend to convey complete agreement. While versatile, "pretty true" allows for nuanced communication, acknowledging that reality is rarely black and white.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite true

Implies a considerable degree of truth, but may not be entirely absolute.

rather true

Indicates a noticeable degree of truth, slightly more formal than "pretty true".

fairly true

Suggests a moderate level of truth, with possible minor inaccuracies.

relatively true

Indicates a qualified truth, suggesting something is true in comparison to something else.

generally valid

Emphasizes that something is typically true or applicable, though exceptions may exist.

very true

Emphasizes a high degree of truth, approaching certainty.

mostly correct

Highlights the correctness of something, implying only a few details might be wrong.

substantially accurate

Implies a significant level of accuracy, with any inaccuracies being relatively minor.

largely accurate

Focuses on the accuracy of information, suggesting only minor errors.

reasonably faithful

Suggests that something closely represents the truth or original source.

FAQs

What does "pretty true" mean?

The phrase "pretty true" means mostly true, with the understanding that there might be some small inaccuracies or exceptions. It's a way of expressing agreement while acknowledging potential minor discrepancies.

When is it appropriate to use "pretty true"?

It's appropriate when you generally agree with a statement but want to acknowledge that it might not be 100% accurate in every detail or situation. It's a way of expressing qualified agreement.

What can I say instead of "pretty true"?

You can use alternatives like "relatively true", "quite true", or "fairly true" depending on the degree of agreement you want to convey.

Is "pretty true" too informal for professional writing?

While "pretty true" is generally acceptable, consider slightly more formal alternatives like "largely accurate" or "substantially accurate" in formal or professional contexts to maintain a more serious tone.