Prety vs. Pretty: Which is Correct?

• "Prety" is the incorrect spelling of "pretty."
• "Pretty" typically describes something that is visually attractive or pleasing to the eye, often characterized by a combination of charm, elegance, or aesthetic appeal. It is a subjective quality influenced by individual preferences and cultural standards.

Pretty

Parts of speech: adjective

1. pleasing to the eye, especially in a delicate or graceful way:

• She had a pretty face with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile.

2. attractive, appealing:

• The band played some pretty catchy tunes that had everyone dancing.

3. (informal) fairly large or considerable:

• There was a pretty big crowd at the concert.

4. (informal) to a moderate degree; quite:

• It's pretty cold outside this morning.

5. (archaic) skillful, clever:

• He was a pretty good card player and often won big.

Note:

• In informal contexts, it can be used to mean "fairly" or "quite."
• It is often associated with delicacy, grace, and charm.

In the below graph, we can see that there is a difference in the usage of the word "pretty" and "prety." The word "pretty" has been steeply increasing in terms of use since the 1980s.

How do we pronounce pretty?

In American English, pretty is pronounced pri·tee.

In British English, pretty is pronounced pri·teh.

Why does the misspelling of pretty as prety occur?

There are several reasons why you might see "prety" as a misspelling of "pretty":

Phonetic simplification:

• "Pretty" has a relatively complex spelling: "tt" representing a single sound, and the silent "y" at the end.
• Some people, especially children or those learning English as a second language, might simplify the spelling based on pronunciation. Replacing the double "t" with a single "t" reflects how the word is spoken in many accents, where the emphasis is on the first syllable and the second "t" tends to be softer or even silent.

Typographical errors:

• Simple typos and accidental keystrokes can also lead to "prety" appearing instead of "pretty." This is especially common in fast-paced communication like online chats or informal writing.

Dialectal variations:

• In some regional dialects or sociolinguistic groups, "prety" might be a recognized, albeit non-standard, spelling of "pretty." This could be due to historical pronunciations or local spelling conventions.

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Other misspellings of pretty

Below are other common misspellings of "pretty" other than "prety."

1. Pritty
2. Pretti
3. Prity
4. Pretyy

Example sentences of the misspelling of pretty as prety

Below are example sentences highlighting that “prety” is an incorrect spelling.

1. The correct spelling of the word is "pretty," not "prety."
2. I noticed a small error in your text; it should be "pretty" instead of "prety."
3. Just a quick correction: "prety" is not the accurate spelling; it should be spelled as "pretty."
4. If you want to convey the idea of attractiveness, the correct spelling is "pretty," not "prety."
5. Double-check the spelling in your document; "prety" is a common misspelling, and the correct form is "pretty."

Example sentences of pretty

1. She looked absolutely stunning in that pretty evening gown.
2. The garden was filled with pretty flowers of various colors and shapes.
3. Despite the rain, the rainbow that appeared was a pretty sight in the sky.
4. The little girl proudly showed off her pretty drawings to her parents.
5. The quaint cottage had a pretty facade with a charming garden in front.
6. His thoughtful gesture of giving her a bouquet of pretty wildflowers made her day.
7. The sunset painted the sky in a palette of pretty hues, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
8. The small town had a row of pretty houses with colorful shutters and well-tended gardens.
9. She received a pretty necklace as a birthday gift from her best friend.
10. The song had a pretty melody that lingered in the minds of those who heard it.

Synonyms for pretty

A synonym for "pretty" could be "attractive." Other alternatives might include:

1. Beautiful
2. Lovely
3. Charming
4. Cute
5. Handsome (when referring to a man)
6. Alluring
7. Elegant
8. Graceful
9. Exquisite
10. Appealing

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References:

Definition of PRETTY

artful, clever; pat, apt; pleasing by delicacy or grace… See the full definition

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