usually pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "usually pretty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is generally attractive or appealing, but not always. Example: "The weather in spring is usually pretty, with blooming flowers and mild temperatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're usually pretty funny.

The New Yorker

And it's usually pretty humid".

The New York Times

I'm usually pretty comfortable flying.

The New York Times

But I'm usually pretty steady.

The New York Times

This is usually pretty low.

The Guardian

Guilt is usually pretty ineffective over all.

The New York Times

"The bullpen's usually pretty good," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm usually pretty laid back," he said.

The New York Times

"It's usually pretty quiet," he said.

The New York Times

The cooking is usually pretty quick.

The New York Times

"They're usually pretty brazen about it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something with "usually pretty", ensure the context clarifies that there might be exceptions or variations.

Common error

Avoid using "usually pretty" when the subject is consistently attractive; instead, use stronger terms like "always beautiful" or "consistently appealing" for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usually pretty" functions as an adverbial modifier enhancing an adjective. The adverb "usually" modifies the adjective "pretty", indicating that the quality of being pretty is generally but not always present. As Ludwig AI suggests, this implies a common but not constant state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

16%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "usually pretty" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is generally attractive or pleasant, but not always. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Related phrases include "generally attractive" and "typically nice", which offer similar meanings with slight variations. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the degree of attractiveness or pleasantness. The phrase has a neutral register and is widely accepted in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally attractive

Focuses on overall attractiveness with the term "generally".

typically attractive

Emphasizes typical appeal rather than a constant state.

mostly beautiful

Replaces "pretty" with "beautiful" stressing the degree.

generally nice

Uses "nice" as a more generic term for pleasantness.

typically pleasant

Highlights the typical pleasantness of something.

often lovely

Replaces "pretty" with "lovely" and "usually" with "often".

mostly agreeable

Focuses on the agreeableness of something.

commonly appealing

Uses "commonly" instead of "usually", suggesting widespread appeal.

ordinarily attractive

Emphasizes the ordinary level of attractiveness.

fairly attractive on average

Specifies the average attractiveness, adding more precision.

FAQs

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

You can use "usually pretty" to describe something that is generally attractive but not always. For example, "The weather in spring is "usually pretty", with blooming flowers and mild temperatures."

What are some alternatives to "usually pretty"?

Alternatives include "generally attractive", "typically nice", or "mostly beautiful" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "usually pretty good"?

Yes, "usually pretty good" is grammatically correct and means that something is generally of good quality but not always perfect. For example, "The service at that restaurant is "usually pretty good"."

What's the difference between "usually pretty" and "always pretty"?

"Usually pretty" implies that something is attractive most of the time, while "always pretty" means it is attractive without exception. The choice depends on whether there are variations or exceptions to the attractiveness.