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Old 05-Aug-2008, 18:55
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Default pretty much

Dear teachers, please, could you shed a light on this:

1) What's the difference between 'come in' and 'come on in'?
People talk like that all the time.

2) What's the exact meaning of 'pretty much'?

a. It won't work this way, will it?
Yeah, it pretty much will.


b. You don't wanna kiss me right here, do you?
Yeah, I pretty much do.


c. It is not that bad, right?
Oh, it pretty much is.


So, I am guessing people use 'pretty much' to intensify something that someone thinks it should not happer. Am I right? If so, that's it?

Thank you very much in advance!
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Old 05-Aug-2008, 19:00
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Default Re: pretty much

Quote:
Originally Posted by marciobarbalho View Post
Dear teachers, please, could you shed a light on this:

1) What's the difference between 'come in' and 'come on in'?
People talk like that all the time. Please - some examples of sentences!

2) What's the exact meaning of 'pretty much'?

a. It won't work this way, will it?
Yeah, it pretty much will.


b. You don't wanna kiss me right here, do you?
Yeah, I pretty much do.


c. It is not that bad, right?
Oh, it pretty much is.


So, I am guessing people use 'pretty much' to intensify something that someone thinks it should not happen. Am I right? If so, that's it? It is an intensifier, indicating that whatever is referred to will probably be/is that way.


Thank you very much in advance!
.
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Old 05-Aug-2008, 19:06
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Default Re: pretty much

It is an intensifier, indicating that whatever is referred to will probably be/is that way.

Then, 'pretty much' is pretty much more usefull than I thought!

Thank you!
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Old 05-Aug-2008, 19:56
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Default Re: pretty much

'come in' is your usual, everyday way of inviting someone to enter your office or home.

Now, 'come on!' has the meaning, 'don't just stand there, move! - get cracking!

Put them all together, 'come on in' , and it becomes an enthusiastic welcome. It is like saying, Why are you standing out there in the cold (as it were)? You know you are welcome, you should have come straight in! (OF COURSE, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE !! That's just politeness on my part - you wait and knock -that's politeness on your part).
As I was explaining:

You should have come straight in. So don't hesitate any more - Come on in!
A variation on this is,
"Come right in and make yourself at home."
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