pretty widely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty widely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is accepted or recognized by a large number of people or in many places. Example: "The new policy is pretty widely accepted among the staff, leading to a smoother transition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It varies pretty widely.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

and they are pretty widely subscribed.

The New York Times

It's now used pretty widely as a flocculent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's been pretty widely known around here," he said.

The New York Times

My father's revulsion is pretty widely shared in these islands.

The Guardian - Arts

And we see today ginkgo being sold pretty widely in health food stores.

Yale University

DI: "Modern Family" aside, the awards have been pretty widely distributed across shows.

The New York Times

The idea that society benefits when investors compete successfully is pretty widely accepted.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think the importance of what we are doing is pretty widely recognised.

The Guardian

ADAM GRANT: Yeah, this middle status conformity effect is pretty widely demonstrated.

Harvard Business Review

It's pretty widely accepted that people's innate intelligence doesn't change much.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty widely" to indicate that something is generally known, accepted, or distributed across a broad range of contexts. Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty widely" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "extensively" or "broadly" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty widely" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating the extent or degree to which something is known, accepted, or distributed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty widely" is a common and generally acceptable adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is broadly known, accepted, or distributed. Ludwig AI confirms this. While grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts (particularly in News & Media), it may be too informal for certain academic or professional settings. In such instances, consider using more formal alternatives such as "extensively" or "broadly". Overall, "pretty widely" serves as a useful tool for conveying the extent of something's prevalence or recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly broadly

Substitutes "pretty" for "fairly" and "widely" for "broadly", providing a more neutral tone.

quite extensively

Replaces "pretty" with "quite" and "widely" with "extensively", altering the emphasis slightly.

reasonably extensively

Similar to "quite extensively" but with a slightly different nuance.

relatively commonly

Changes the adverbial emphasis to focus on common occurrence.

considerably

Indicates a notable degree of widespread presence or understanding.

somewhat universally

Emphasizes near-universal acceptance rather than broad distribution.

substantially

Highlights the significant extent to which something is spread or known.

largely

A shorter, more direct way to indicate widespread occurrence or acceptance.

markedly

Emphasizes that something is widespread in a clear and distinct manner.

noticeably

Focuses on the ease with which something widespread can be observed.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty widely" to describe something that is generally known, accepted, or distributed. For example, "It's "pretty widely" understood that exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "pretty widely"?

Alternatives include "quite extensively", "fairly broadly", or "relatively commonly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

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

While "pretty widely" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "extensively" or "broadly".

What does "pretty widely" mean?

The phrase ""pretty widely"" means that something is known, accepted, or distributed to a considerable extent. It suggests a general awareness or presence.