went pretty well

USAGE SUMMARY

"went pretty well" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that had a positive outcome or to reflect on an experience that was successful. For example, "The party went pretty well; everyone had a good time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Things went pretty well.

The New York Times

That part went pretty well.

The New York Times

"I guess it went pretty well.

The New York Times - Sports

But I thought it went pretty well".

The New York Times - Sports

And all that went pretty well.

The New York Times - Sports

"But for the most part, it went pretty well".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it went pretty well," Roethlisberger said.

The New York Times

"I thought that went pretty well," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I thought, 'Hey, that actually went pretty well,'" Reznor recalled.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Everything's going pretty well.

The Guardian - Sport

"Tennis in Italy is going pretty well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went pretty well" to convey a positive but not necessarily exceptional outcome. It suggests things proceeded without major issues and met expectations.

Common error

While "went pretty well" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "progressed smoothly" or "concluded satisfactorily" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went pretty well" functions as a subjective assessment of a past event. It typically serves as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to express the speaker's or writer's opinion that something occurred successfully and satisfactorily. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went pretty well" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express satisfaction or approval regarding a past event. As noted by Ludwig, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it is important to note that its tone is generally neutral to informal; therefore, using more formal alternatives, such as "progressed smoothly" or "concluded satisfactorily", might be more appropriate for professional or academic writing. When looking for substitutes, consider factors like the degree of success and the desired level of formality to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked out fine

Implies that initial concerns were overcome, resulting in a favorable outcome.

panned out successfully

Highlights the element of planning leading to positive results.

turned out nicely

Focuses on the pleasing outcome of something.

did alright

An informal way to describe a satisfactory outcome.

resulted positively

Focuses on positive consequences.

progressed smoothly

Emphasizes the lack of problems or obstacles during the process.

fared well

A slightly more formal way of saying things progressed successfully.

concluded satisfactorily

Emphasizes the satisfactory nature of the conclusion.

succeeded admirably

Highlights the high degree of success achieved.

materialized favorably

Describes something that came into being with positive results.

FAQs

How can I use "went pretty well" in a sentence?

You can use "went pretty well" to describe events or situations that had a positive outcome. For example, "The presentation "went pretty well"; the clients seemed impressed."

What are some alternatives to "went pretty well"?

Alternatives include "turned out nicely", "progressed smoothly", or "worked out fine", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "went pretty well" too informal for business communication?

In some business contexts, it may be perceived as too informal. Consider using phrases such as "concluded satisfactorily" or "resulted positively" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "went pretty well" and "went very well"?

"Went pretty well" implies a satisfactory but not necessarily outstanding outcome, whereas "went very well" suggests a higher degree of success and satisfaction. "Pretty well" is slightly less enthusiastic than "went very well".