I thought highly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought highly of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing admiration or respect for someone or something in a past context. Example: "I thought highly of her dedication to the project and her ability to inspire the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I thought highly of him as a cook and as a man".

The New York Times

"I took him as a favor to a headmaster from a 'famous' school because the headmaster, who I thought highly of, gave his recommendation and thought that he had great potential," Mr. Stewart said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

I would sit with Harold Bloom with some regularity, hand over a book I thought highly of, say, by Jack Gilbert or McCarthy's Blood Meridian, and wait for him to refuse even to look.

The Guardian - Books

"What is this LinkedIn thing anyway," I asked myself, "some sort of pyramid scam?" I thought highly of the person who sent me the invitation, so I went to the LinkedIn Web site to see what it was about.

Science Magazine

I thought highly of that doctor, but hearing her name in that space, triggered an emotional muscle memory and I knew I wouldn't be back as a patient.

HuffPost

I thought highly of the two previous productions I've seen of "The Iceman Cometh" but left them both feeling I needn't ever sit through the play again.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I think highly of myself.

The New York Times

I think highly of them, very much so.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think highly of his tax package," said Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma.

The New York Times

His take on Ms. Whitman: "I think highly of Meg as a C.E.O.

The New York Times

"I think highly of myself and I think you have to," said Maggette, who has a bodybuilder's physique.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I thought highly of" when you want to express past admiration or respect for someone or something. Ensure the context clearly indicates why you held them in such esteem.

Common error

Avoid using "I think highly of" when referring to a past situation. The past tense "I thought highly of" is appropriate when discussing past opinions or relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought highly of" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past positive assessment or admiration for someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is a way to convey respect or approval from a prior perspective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I thought highly of" is a grammatically correct way to express past admiration or respect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not extremely common, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "I admired" or "I respected". Remember to use this phrase to refer to past sentiments, distinguishing it from the present-tense "I think highly of". This phrase, according to examples, allows speakers and writers to convey favorable opinion held in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I thought well of

A more general expression of a positive impression or judgment.

I had a high opinion of

Slightly more formal and direct in expressing a favorable judgment.

I held in high regard

Highlights the act of holding someone in a position of esteem.

I respected

Emphasizes respect, often for qualities like integrity or skill.

I admired

Focuses on the feeling of admiration, suggesting approval and appreciation.

I regarded with great respect

Emphasizes the feeling of respect held for someone.

I esteemed

More formal and indicates deep respect or admiration.

I looked up to

Implies admiration and respect, often towards someone considered a role model.

I valued

Highlights the importance or worth attributed to someone or something.

I appreciated greatly

Emphasizes gratitude and recognition of someone's qualities or actions.

FAQs

What is a synonym for "I thought highly of"?

Alternatives include "I admired", "I respected", or "I thought well of", which convey similar sentiments of respect or admiration.

How do I use "I thought highly of" in a sentence?

Use it to express past admiration or respect, such as: "I thought highly of her dedication to the project and her ability to inspire the team."

Is it correct to say "I think highly of"?

Yes, but it expresses a current opinion. "I thought highly of" refers to a past opinion or feeling.

What's the difference between "I thought highly of" and "I think highly of"?

"I thought highly of" expresses a past sentiment, while "I think highly of" expresses a current one. The choice depends on whether you're describing a past or present feeling.