pretty ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used informally to describe something that is unattractive or not aesthetically pleasing, sometimes with a hint of irony. Example: "The design of that building is pretty ugly, but it has a certain charm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pretty ugly.

The New York Times - Sports

It was pretty ugly".

Independent

"Pretty ugly," he said.

The New Yorker

"It got pretty ugly".

The Guardian

Pretty ugly, pretty scary.

The New Yorker

"It can get pretty ugly".

The New York Times

It can be pretty ugly.

The New Yorker

It could get pretty ugly".

The Guardian - Music

It's a pretty ugly thing.

The Guardian

"It was pretty ugly," he admits.

The New York Times

It all got pretty ugly after that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty ugly" to describe something that is unattractive but may possess a certain charm or intrigue. It conveys a sense of understated criticism, suitable for informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty ugly" in formal writing or professional settings, as it can sound unprofessional. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "rather unattractive" or "somewhat unsightly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty ugly" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its appearance. It's used to express that something is unattractive, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pretty ugly" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something as unattractive, though perhaps not severely so. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use, primarily in informal contexts such as news and media. While "pretty ugly" can add color to descriptive writing, it's crucial to consider the audience and opt for more formal alternatives like "rather unattractive" in professional settings. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite ugly

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", indicating a similar degree of ugliness.

plain ugly

Uses a more direct term, "plain", in place of "pretty".

very ugly

Emphasizes the ugliness more strongly than "pretty ugly".

downright hideous

Emphasizes ugliness more strongly using a more extreme adjective.

somewhat ugly

Suggests a milder degree of ugliness compared to "pretty ugly".

unpleasantly unattractive

Combines negative adverbs to express a strong negative feeling.

rather unattractive

Uses a more formal term, "unattractive", in place of "ugly".

aesthetically displeasing

Employs a more technical, aesthetic-focused way to describe ugliness.

fairly unsightly

Substitutes "pretty ugly" with synonyms "fairly" and "unsightly".

not visually appealing

Uses a neutral tone while highlighting the lack of aesthetic charm.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty ugly" to describe something that is unattractive or unpleasant, for example: "The design of that building is "pretty ugly", but it has a certain charm."

What can I say instead of "pretty ugly"?

You can use alternatives like "quite ugly", "rather unattractive", or "somewhat unsightly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pretty ugly" in formal writing?

No, "pretty ugly" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional alternatives like "aesthetically displeasing" or "visually unappealing".

What is the difference between "pretty ugly" and "very ugly"?

"Pretty ugly" suggests a milder degree of unattractiveness than "very ugly". "Pretty" softens the statement, implying something is unattractive but perhaps not severely so.