pretty widespread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty widespread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is common or prevalent in a particular area or among a certain group of people. Example: "The use of smartphones has become pretty widespread among teenagers in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's pretty widespread".

The Guardian - Sport

That's pretty widespread.

The Guardian

My knowledge is pretty widespread.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It really seems to be pretty widespread".

The New Yorker

"I think there was pretty widespread disappointment.

The New Yorker

I think this is pretty widespread," said Dr. Diflo.

The New York Times

"This was really pretty widespread," said William J. Comiskey, a deputy state attorney general.

The New York Times

"Coulson would certainly be well aware that the practice was pretty widespread.

The Guardian

"In 2006, oysters were pretty widespread, and this year is wider still.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's pretty much widespread in the continental United States.

The New York Times

I'm not usually one to get up in arms about possible chemical scares (I'm a big fan of both Aspartame and MSG) but this seems pretty legit: the widespread use of nanoparticles in products that have contact with skin, water systems, other chemicals and so on is so new that there can't possibly have been time for rigorous testing of possible effects.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty widespread" to describe trends, behaviors, or phenomena that are notably common but not necessarily universal. It implies a significant presence without suggesting complete saturation.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty widespread" when describing something that is actually rare or limited to a small group. Ensure your assessment of prevalence is accurate to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty widespread" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or degree to which something is distributed or prevalent. As shown in Ludwig examples, it commonly precedes nouns describing phenomena, trends, or opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

2%

Vice

2%

Less common in

TechCrunch

1%

Huffington Post

1%

The Economist

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty widespread" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that something is common or prevalent. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly correct and usable in written English. It's particularly common in news and media contexts, as seen in Ludwig's examples. While alternatives like "fairly common" or "widely prevalent" exist, "pretty widespread" offers a specific nuance of significant but not universal presence. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a notable degree of prevalence to avoid overstating its reach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite common

Replaces "pretty" with "quite", a synonym that softens the intensity while maintaining the meaning of widespread occurrence.

fairly common

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly", indicating a moderate degree of commonness, similar to the original phrase.

widely prevalent

Replaces "pretty" with "widely" and "widespread" with "prevalent", emphasizing the extensive presence of something.

broadly diffused

Uses "broadly diffused" to convey that something has spread across a wide area or among many people.

extensively distributed

Focuses on the idea of distribution, suggesting that something is available or present in many places.

generally accepted

Shifts the focus to acceptance, meaning something is commonly agreed upon or believed.

largely circulating

Implies that something, like information or a trend, is spreading among a large number of people.

commonly encountered

Highlights the frequency with which something is experienced or found.

routinely observed

Suggests that something is seen or noticed on a regular basis, indicating common occurrence.

universally recognized

Indicates widespread acknowledgement or awareness of something by nearly everyone.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty widespread" to describe something that is common or prevalent. For instance, "The use of smartphones is "pretty widespread" among young adults."

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty widespread"?

Alternatives include "fairly common", "widely prevalent", or "generally accepted", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pretty widespread"?

Yes, "pretty widespread" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is acceptable and understandable.

What's the difference between "pretty widespread" and "completely universal"?

"Pretty widespread" suggests that something is common but not necessarily present everywhere. "Completely universal" implies that something exists or is applicable in all cases without exception. "Pretty widespread" indicates a high degree of prevalence, while "completely universal" indicates absolute prevalence.