that was pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was pretty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a positive opinion or reaction about something that has occurred or been presented. Example: "That was pretty amazing, and I didn't expect it to be so good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That was pretty impressive".

The New York Times - Tech

"That was pretty daring".

The New York Times - Magazine

"That was pretty strange.

The New York Times - Food

That was pretty unbelievable".

The New York Times

That was pretty amazing".

Independent

That was pretty surreal!

Independent

That was pretty bizarre.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

That's pretty rich.

The New Yorker

That's pretty staggering.

The New Yorker

That's pretty tough.

The New Yorker

That's pretty standard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "pretty" with synonyms like "quite", "really", or "somewhat" to adjust the intensity of your statement, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "that was pretty" in formal writing or professional communications. While grammatically correct, it can sound too casual. Opt for stronger, more precise adjectives to convey your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was pretty" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, offering a subjective assessment of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts, from describing experiences to expressing reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was pretty" is a versatile phrase used for expressing a mild to moderate positive assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal, making it suitable for everyday conversation but less ideal for formal writing. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "that was quite" or "that was really" to adjust the intensity and formality. When overused, the phrase may sound repetitive, so diversifying your vocabulary with synonyms can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was quite

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

that was really

Substitutes "pretty" with "really", emphasizing the intensity of the observation.

that was fairly

Uses "fairly" instead of "pretty", suggesting a moderate level of appreciation.

that was somewhat

Replaces "pretty" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly lesser degree of impact.

that was rather

Employs "rather" in place of "pretty", conveying a similar level of assessment with a slightly more formal tone.

that was reasonably

Uses "reasonably" instead of "pretty", suggesting a more objective evaluation.

that was notably

Replaces "pretty" with "notably", highlighting the remarkableness of the observation.

that was distinctly

Substitutes "pretty" with "distinctly", accentuating the uniqueness of the assessment.

that was surprisingly

Uses "surprisingly" instead of "pretty", adding an element of unexpectedness to the evaluation.

that was unexpectedly

Replaces "pretty" with "unexpectedly", emphasizing that something was not anticipated.

FAQs

What does "that was pretty" mean?

The phrase "that was pretty" is a common expression used to indicate that something was reasonably good, impressive, or enjoyable. The intensity can vary depending on context and tone.

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

You can use "that was pretty" to describe an experience, event, or object you found to be satisfactory. For instance, "That movie was pretty good" or "That performance was pretty impressive".

What can I say instead of "that was pretty"?

You can use alternatives like "that was quite", "that was really", or "that was somewhat", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "that was pretty" may be considered too casual for formal writing. Consider using more sophisticated and precise language to convey your assessment.