are highly selective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are highly selective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process, group, or individual that exercises a significant degree of choice or discrimination in selecting options or candidates. Example: "The admissions committee for the university is highly selective, admitting only the top candidates from thousands of applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Importantly, the FG particles that are formed are highly selective and recapitulate key selectivity features of intact NPCs.

eLife

Although many programs have open enrollments, the more established ones are highly selective, relying on auditions.

The New York Times - Arts

But parties are highly selective in what they choose to find outrageous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Antibiotics are highly selective — unlike soap and water, which get rid of bacteria indiscriminately, through mechanical means.

The New York Times

General Than Shwe is a very secretive man and the state-run media are highly selective in their reporting.

The New York Times

Most schools that are need-blind for international students and match all of my preferences are highly selective.

The New York Times

Admissions are highly selective and funding is awarded solely on ability, with parental income taken into account only when setting the exact level of support.

The Economist

Some postgraduate programmes are highly selective (such as the Erasumus Mundus, Research and Top Masters programmes) and only accept the top students.

Independent

Enzymes are highly selective catalysts which accelerates both the rate and specificity of metabolic reactions.

Fashion and Textiles

It is clear that the C-SWCNTs are highly selective to gases.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The latter result shows that the designed substrates are highly selective for the respective enzymes.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing selection processes, clarify the criteria by which something is deemed "selective". Specifying these parameters enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "are highly selective" without supporting evidence or clear metrics. Simply stating high selectivity without context weakens the claim. Provide data or specific examples to substantiate the degree of selectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are highly selective" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its characteristic of exercising careful choice or discrimination. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are highly selective" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe entities known for their stringent selection criteria. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context and justification for the selectivity being described. Alternatives like "exhibit considerable selectivity" or "are exceptionally discerning" can add nuance to your writing. Avoiding unsupported claims of selectivity will strengthen your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit considerable selectivity

Focuses on the characteristic of demonstrating a noticeable degree of selectivity, rather than explicitly stating a high level.

demonstrate a high degree of discrimination

Emphasizes the act of discriminating as a core component of being selective.

possess significant selectivity

Highlights the attribute of having considerable selectivity as an inherent quality.

exercise considerable discretion

Highlights the act of carefully using one's own judgement.

are particularly discriminating

Directly states a tendency for marked discrimination.

are exceptionally discerning

Emphasizes the quality of having excellent judgment and taste.

show notable selectivity

Highlights that the selectivity is clearly apparent or worthy of attention.

display marked selectivity

Indicates a clear and obvious level of selectivity.

are very choosy

An informal alternative that conveys careful selection.

are extremely particular

Highlights attention to detail and specific requirements when selecting.

FAQs

How can I use "are highly selective" in a sentence?

You can use "are highly selective" to describe entities that exercise careful choice. For example, "The admissions committee members "are highly selective", choosing only candidates with exceptional qualifications."

What does it mean when something is described as "highly selective"?

When something is described as "highly selective", it means that it involves a rigorous selection process, with only a small percentage of candidates or options being chosen. This suggests stringent criteria and careful evaluation.

What are some alternatives to saying "are highly selective"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exhibit considerable selectivity", "demonstrate a high degree of discrimination", or "are exceptionally discerning" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "are highly selective" in formal writing?

Yes, "are highly selective" is appropriate for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts. More informal alternatives like "are very choosy" may be less suitable for formal writing.