that pretty close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that pretty close" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are close to achieving something or when you are close to arriving at a conclusion. For example, "After analyzing the data, I think that's pretty close to the answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now, excuse me, but isn't that pretty close to what eleven states just voted against?

The New Yorker

They probably got that pretty close to right because something back in here (motions to head) is reacting to that sight.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It turns out, however that most of us are already familiar with something that is pretty close to Leibniz equivalence.

SEP

Find two trees that are pretty close to each other, then find a branch that will span the gap between the trees and support your weight.

WikiHow

Though both musicians had solos that were pretty close to extraordinary, it was the constant flow of communication between them that powered the set.

The New York Times - Arts

"This is something that's pretty close to us.

Independent

"It's a subject that's pretty close to home.

The Guardian - Arts

"We've had one proposal on the pick that was pretty close".

The New York Times - Sports

"They deal in a very personal, intimate world with songs that cut pretty close to the heart.

The New York Times - Arts

I snagged a pair of pants in a micro-check at H&M ($24.95) that was pretty close to a $655 style by Marni.

The New York Times

From the gentlest reworkings of vicarages and cups of tea right through to things that come pretty close to torture porn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that pretty close" to express an approximation or nearness to a specific value, condition, or goal. It conveys a sense of being reasonably accurate without being exact.

Common error

While "that pretty close" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language is expected. Consider alternatives like "approximately", "nearly", or "almost" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that pretty close" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates an approximation or a degree of nearness to a certain condition or state. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes proximity without being exact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that pretty close" is a common expression used to indicate approximation or nearness to a particular condition, value, or goal. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for general usage. It's frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal settings might require more precise language. Alternatives such as "almost there" or "nearly there" can be used for similar effect. Remember that this phrase is useful when you want to convey that something is reasonably accurate without being exactly precise. Overall, the phrase is a versatile way to convey proximity or estimation in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost there

This phrase implies a near completion or achievement, focusing on the final stage of progress.

nearly there

Similar to "almost there", it highlights the proximity to a goal or destination.

close to

This is a more direct and versatile alternative, applicable in various contexts to indicate nearness.

getting close

This emphasizes the process of becoming near to a certain point or result.

in the ballpark

This idiom suggests an estimate or guess is reasonably accurate or within acceptable limits.

not far off

This idiom suggests that something is reasonably accurate or close to the actual value or situation.

approaching

This indicates that something is getting closer to a specific state or condition.

drawing near

Similar to approaching, emphasizing the gradual decrease in distance or time.

within reach

This indicates that something is attainable or easily accessible.

on the verge of

This suggests that something is about to happen or be achieved imminently.

FAQs

How can I use "that pretty close" in a sentence?

You can use "that pretty close" to indicate approximation or nearness. For example, "The estimate we got was "that pretty close" to the actual cost".

What are some alternatives to "that pretty close"?

Some alternatives include "almost there", "nearly there", "close to", or "in the ballpark depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "that pretty close" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "that pretty close" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider more precise alternatives like "approximately" or "nearly".

How does "that pretty close" differ from "very close"?

"That pretty close" implies a reasonable approximation, whereas "very close" suggests a higher degree of accuracy. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.