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Mr. Tom Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Pretty bad

HI

I want to know if the phrase pretty bad is suitable for polite (formal) company. Or would it sound slangy to educated ears? For example:

I got pushed pretty bad.
He got hurt pretty bad.
I think you fell down pretty bad.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

"Pretty bad" is not a phrase which you should use writing a formal style.

— Bartdebsky

  • "Pretty bad" is not a phrase which you should use writing a formal style.
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2 Answers
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"Pretty bad" is not a phrase which you should use writing a formal style.
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Mr. TomI want to know if the phrase pretty bad is suitable for polite (formal) company.
It depends on how formal you mean and on the expectations of the other guests in the group. At the very least I would change it to "pretty badly" in a meeting with a government dignitary. There is nothing impolite about it, however.

CJ
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