be highly selective in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be highly selective in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to choose carefully or to be discerning in their choices or decisions. Example: "When applying for jobs, it's important to be highly selective in the positions you pursue to ensure they align with your career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

To achieve such unity of vision, a publisher must be highly selective in what he or she accepts.

The Washington Post

Before the dinner broke up, Love announced that she planned to be "highly selective" in her attendance at the rest of the fashion shows that week.

The New Yorker

As discussions in online forums can become quite large, participants must be highly selective in their reading behavior.

Computers in Human Behavior

Nanoparticulated ceria and gold nanoparticles supported on nanoparticulated ceria that have proved to be highly selective in batch reactions were tested as catalysts.

Catalysis Today

We show that interneurons can be highly selective in their connectivity to specific dendritic branch types and, furthermore, exhibit precisely targeted connectivity to the origin or end of individual branches.

Yale University

If you actually calculate how many books you read in a year and how many that means you're likely to read before you die you'll start to realize that you need to be highly selective in order to make the most of your reading time".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Our findings are more generalizable and represent a less biased sample than those from Scott's qualitative report, as the sample selected by Scott was highly selective in that it was comprised of only those individuals enrolled in Chicago's HIV behavior surveillance study among IDUs who had successfully recruited the maximum number of peer networks.

Plosone

The Au/CeO2 catalyst is highly selective in gas phase (78% of selectivity towards crotyl alcohol).

Catalysis Today

We're highly selective in our weather memories.

The Guardian - Books

But she is highly selective in what she presents.

The Economist

He is highly selective in choosing roles and often takes a year to prepare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be highly selective in", ensure the context clearly defines the area where careful selection is needed. This helps to avoid ambiguity and emphasizes the importance of the choices being made.

Common error

Avoid using "be highly selective in" when the situation doesn't genuinely require careful selection. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be highly selective in" functions as a directive, advising careful and discerning choices within a specific context. It suggests that not all options are equal and a deliberate approach is required. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be highly selective in" is a grammatically correct phrase used to advise careful and discerning choices. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage, highlighting its function as a directive in contexts requiring deliberate decision-making. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various domains, especially news, science, and academic writing, reflecting a neutral to formal register. For effective communication, ensure the context specifies the area needing careful selection. Remember that while this phrase can be useful, it's important to use it only when a situation truly needs careful selection to prevent overstating the importance and making your writing sound pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate selectivity in

Highlights the act of showing careful preference in choices.

exercise careful selection in

Replaces "highly selective" with a more formal phrase, emphasizing the act of selecting carefully.

be meticulous in selecting

Highlights the precision and attention to detail in the selection process.

be judicious with

Emphasizes the wisdom and good judgment in making selections.

practice careful screening for

Emphasizes the process of filtering and choosing carefully.

adopt a discerning approach to

Focuses on having a refined judgment when making choices.

choose with utmost care in

Emphasizes the importance of making thoughtful choices.

show great discrimination in

Indicates a keen ability to distinguish between options.

apply rigorous criteria to

Focuses on using strict standards for selection.

adopt a refined taste in

Implies selecting based on sophisticated preferences.

FAQs

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

You can use "be highly selective in" to advise someone to choose carefully or to be discerning in their choices, such as "When applying for jobs, it's important to "be highly selective in" the positions you pursue."

What can I say instead of "be highly selective in"?

You can use alternatives like "exercise careful selection in", "adopt a discerning approach to", or "demonstrate selectivity in" depending on the context.

Is it better to "be highly selective in" or "choose carefully"?

Both "be highly selective in" and "choose carefully" suggest making deliberate choices, but "be highly selective in" implies a more rigorous and discerning selection process. The best option depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "be highly selective in" and "be selective"?

"Be selective" means to choose carefully, while "be highly selective in" emphasizes the degree of care and rigor applied during the selection process, suggesting a more discerning and critical approach.