To the highest degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To the highest degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent or intensity of a quality or characteristic. Example: "She is dedicated to her work to the highest degree, always going above and beyond to meet her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's Basketball 101 to the highest degree".

The New York Times - Sports

I was humiliated to the highest degree possible.

The New Yorker

He had great ideas – perceptive to the highest degree and witty, too".

The Guardian

Starting out with a small staff, Bohr's institute soon accomplished those goals to the highest degree.

Britannica

"Anybody who leaks classified information will be held to the highest degree of law," he added.

The Guardian

The name itself — Char No. 4 — refers to the highest degree of charring such barrels receive before the aging process.

The New Yorker

Government lawyers contended the documents are "sensitive to the highest degree" and public disclosure would damage the national interest.

The Guardian

The brominated flame retardant congeners BDE47, BDE153 and BDE154 are among the congeners accumulating to the highest degree in fish.

Aquatic Toxicology

In view of this, an acidification design was proposed to minimize the contamination skin factor to the highest degree.

Natural Gas Industry B

Some of these desiderata are partly in conflict, and they cannot all be satisfied to the highest degree.

Artificial Intelligence

It was agreed to raise the threat level to the highest degree possible, a decision that confirmed another attack is expected imminently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the highest degree" to add emphasis when describing the intensity or completeness of an action, quality, or state. It's particularly effective in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to the highest degree" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler alternatives like "very" or "extremely" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the highest degree" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the maximum extent or intensity of a quality or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to add emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the highest degree" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the maximum extent or intensity of a quality or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase. While commonly found in formal contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Its power lies in its ability to add significant emphasis, making it a valuable tool for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the greatest extent

Replaces "degree" with "extent", emphasizing the scope.

to the utmost extent

Substitutes "highest degree" with "utmost extent", highlighting the limit.

to the fullest extent possible

Adds "possible" to emphasize the limit of what can be achieved.

to the maximum extent

Uses "maximum" to stress the upper limit.

as much as possible

Rephrases to indicate the greatest amount achievable.

to the greatest possible extent

Combines "greatest" and "possible" for emphasis.

to a supreme degree

Replaces "highest" with "supreme", suggesting ultimate quality.

in the fullest measure

Emphasizes the completeness of the extent.

most completely

Focuses on the thoroughness of the action or quality.

with maximum intensity

Highlights the force or strength involved.

FAQs

How can I use "to the highest degree" in a sentence?

You can use "to the highest degree" to emphasize the intensity or completeness of something, such as "She is dedicated "to the highest degree"" or "He was humiliated "to the highest degree" possible."

What are some alternatives to "to the highest degree"?

Alternatives include "to the greatest extent", "to the utmost extent", "as much as possible", or "most completely", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to the highest degree" or "to a high degree"?

"To the highest degree" implies the maximum possible level or intensity, while "to a high degree" suggests a considerable but not necessarily maximal level. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

Is "to the highest degree" formal or informal?

"To the highest degree" is generally considered a formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives such as "very" or "extremely" are often more appropriate.