Most highly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Most highly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a strong degree of something, often in formal or polite contexts, such as in recommendations or endorsements. Example: "I most highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most highly refined clowning was performed by Chang Changhua.

The New Yorker

Most highly paid people are in cognitively demanding professions.

Huffington Post

Toroidal devices are the most highly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many readers value Chesterton's fiction most highly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neil always spoke most highly of his father.

The New York Times

Magnet schools, for example, attract the most highly motivated students.

The New York Times

The most highly publicized incidents were the two murder cases.

The New York Times - Sports

But mostly, Portland was the team spoken of most highly.

The New York Times - Sports

"Historically, wage moves are most highly correlated with inflation.

The Guardian - Money

Our polling suggested "listening" as the most highly valued trait.

The Guardian - Opinion

The best-reviewed, most highly anticipated drama of the year?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Most highly" in formal writing or when emphasizing a significant degree of something. It can add a touch of sophistication to your prose.

Common error

Avoid using "Most highly" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very" or "extremely" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Most highly" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective or verb it modifies. Ludwig AI indicates that it effectively expresses a strong degree of something. For example, it's used to describe things that are "most highly valued" or "most highly correlated."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Most highly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial modifier that serves to emphasize a significant degree or extent. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, noting its common use in formal and polite contexts. While versatile, "Most highly" is most often found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, giving it a professional tone. When choosing alternatives, consider simpler options like "very" or "extremely" for less formal settings. Understanding these nuances will help you wield "Most highly" with confidence and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Very highly

This alternative is more straightforward and common.

Extremely

This alternative is shorter and less formal.

Supremely

This alternative is a single-word adverb emphasizing the highest degree.

To the greatest extent

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the degree.

In the highest degree

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way of expressing a very high level.

Highly regarded

This alternative focuses on positive perception.

Rated best

This alternative implies a comparison and a top ranking.

Held in high esteem

This alternative emphasizes respect and admiration.

Deemed superior

This alternative highlights a higher level of quality.

Considered paramount

This alternative emphasizes importance above all else.

FAQs

How to use "Most highly" in a sentence?

You can use "Most highly" to emphasize the degree to which something is valued, regarded, or correlated, as in "The brown meat was the "most highly" prized" or "Historically, wage moves are "most highly" correlated with inflation".

What can I say instead of "Most highly"?

You can use alternatives like "very highly", "extremely", or "to the greatest extent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Most highly valued" or "Highest valued"?

"Most highly valued" and "highest valued" are both grammatically correct, but "most highly valued" implies a process of evaluation, while "highest valued" suggests a position at the top of a hierarchy.

What's the difference between "Highly" and "Most highly"?

"Highly" indicates a high degree, while ""most highly"" indicates the utmost degree or the highest level of something. The latter emphasizes a greater level of intensity or importance.