I was highly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was highly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong degree of something, typically followed by an adjective or a verb in the past participle form. Example: "I was highly impressed by the presentation and the effort put into it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I was highly, highly offended.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was highly offended.

The Guardian

I was, highly, but now I'm not.

The Guardian - Film

I was highly alarmed by the information I was receiving.

The New York Times

When I read it I was highly pleased.

The New Yorker

"And I was highly neurotic," she added, with a laugh.

The New York Times

And I was highly amused by all of them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So I was highly motivated to write the novel for the reasons I had just mentioned.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

As expected the h-I was highly associated with duration of scientific life and recent publications (Table 3).

Plosone

In addition, sustained attention was significantly improved after the first and second treatment year, as IGF-I was highly increased.

BMC Pediatrics

The low levels of radioactivity released in remaining cycles indicated that labeling with I- was highly specific and digestion with trypsin was essentially complete.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was highly" when you want to emphasize the intensity of a feeling, opinion, or characteristic. It adds a stronger sense of degree than using "very".

Common error

Avoid using "highly" in very informal conversations or writing. In casual settings, simpler words like "very", "really", or "extremely" often sound more natural and less stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was highly" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective or participle. It expresses a strong degree of the quality or state described by the following word. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was highly" is a common phrase used to emphasize the degree of an adjective or participle, indicating a strong feeling, opinion, or condition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts, frequently appearing in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings where simpler alternatives might sound more natural. Remember to choose the phrase when you want to add a significant level of intensity to your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt extremely

Replaces "highly" with "extremely", emphasizing the intensity of the feeling.

I was profoundly

Uses "profoundly" to signify a deep or significant impact or feeling.

I was exceptionally

Replaces "highly" with "exceptionally", highlighting the unusual degree.

I was very

Uses "very" as a more common but less emphatic substitute for "highly".

I remained remarkably

Suggests something was surprisingly or unexpectedly at a high level.

I experienced intense

Shifts the focus to the experience of something intense, rather than a state of being.

I found myself very

Adds a reflexive element, suggesting a discovery of one's own state.

I became deeply

Emphasizes the process of becoming something to a great degree.

I resulted in extreme

Changes the focus from a personal state to the result of an action or situation.

I grew greatly

Indicates significant growth or increase in a certain quality or state.

FAQs

How can I use "I was highly" in a sentence?

Use "I was highly" to emphasize the degree of a feeling, quality, or state. For example, "I was highly impressed by her dedication" or "I was highly skeptical of his claims".

What phrases can I use instead of "I was highly"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt extremely", "I was very", or "I experienced intense" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I was highly" or "I was very"?

"I was highly" is more emphatic and formal than "I was very". The choice depends on the desired tone and the context. "I was highly" is suitable for more serious or formal situations, while "I was very" works well in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "I was highly" and "I was extremely"?

While both phrases indicate a high degree, "highly" often implies a considered judgment or evaluation, whereas "extremely" suggests a more intense emotional or physical state. For instance, "I was highly critical" implies a reasoned assessment, while "I was extremely nervous" indicates a strong emotional reaction.