Use 'pretty much' to make a statement less absolute and sound more approachable.

Softening Statements

'Pretty much' is casual and common in everyday speech but less appropriate in formal writing.

Informal Conversation

When agreeing with someone mostly but not entirely, use 'pretty much' to indicate minor exceptions.

When you want to avoid giving precise details, 'pretty much' is a handy way to be intentionally vague.

Indicate that a situation or concept is familiar or comparable to something else by using 'pretty much'.

When trying to show agreement within a group, use 'pretty much' to suggest common understanding.

'Pretty much' can emphasize the degree of a quality or condition, suggesting it's to a high extent.

In spoken English, 'pretty much' is used for emphasis, similar to saying 'very' or 'really'.

Using 'pretty much' can sometimes exaggerate a trait for effect, without being 100% accurate.