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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
highly
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "highly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how much something is the case or how good something is (e.g., highly recommended, highly skilled). For example: This restaurant is highly regarded for its delicious Italian food.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
With plenty of tailored advice from Anthony, this highly interactive course will teach you everything from the art of creative composition, to the technicalities of shooting on manual.
News & Media
John, London at Dawn Anthony is a fantastic teacher, not just for his technical skill and keen eye but also his enthusiasm and passion for photography which is highly infectious!
News & Media
I am highly sceptical about this: Nicky Morgan as education secretary, in my view, has shown no commitment to protect education spending, or allow for inflation or increased pupil numbers.
News & Media
In a highly critical report on Monday, marking the first anniversary of the official outbreak in west Africa, the charity said the governments of Guinea and Sierra Leone obstructed the early response and contributed to the loss of life.
News & Media
Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.
News & Media
The highly partisan response to Sayeeda Warsi's damaging resignation from David Cameron's government revives an old political question: when is it right to resign on a point of policy or principle rather than to fight one's corner from inside?
News & Media
Lyons notes that globalisation has helped reduce inequality between countries, but is "adding to inequality within countries, as highly skilled workers benefit from new markets, while low- and medium-skilled workers in the west compete with cheaper workers in emerging countries, or with immigrants at home".
News & Media
This makes a risk-averse, highly centralised banking system even more risk-averse and conservative.
News & Media
He was an crucial part of any tour, organised, funny, highly hospitable and with an innate ability to get on famously with anyone, anywhere.
News & Media
But the two understated Scots formed a formidable partnership as they persuaded George Osborne in early 2014 that the Treasury needed to harden its position, outlined in an analysis paper in April 2013, that a currency union was "highly unlikely".
News & Media
Cameron's move added a sour taste to the highly emotional celebrations among supporters of the union after their decisive win in the referendum.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "highly" to intensify adjectives and adverbs, making your descriptions more impactful. For instance, "highly effective" sounds more persuasive than simply "effective".
Common error
Avoid pairing "highly" with verbs that already imply intensity. Saying "highly appreciate" is often redundant; "greatly appreciate" or simply "appreciate" might be more appropriate.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The adverb "highly" primarily functions to intensify adjectives and adverbs, expressing a high degree or level of a particular quality or action. Ludwig AI confirms its usage as an intensifier, as seen in examples like "highly effective" and "highly recommended".
Frequent in
News & Media
42%
Formal & Business
29%
Science
29%
Less common in
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "highly" functions as an adverb to intensify adjectives and adverbs, conveying a significant degree of a particular quality. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and very common. While versatile, its use is generally considered neutral, aligning well with both news, formal, scientific and professional contexts. While there are many alternative phrases to "highly", be aware that "extremely", "very much", and "greatly" are viable options depending on the nuance you want to achieve. Pay attention to avoid any overusage or redundancy, especially when it comes to weaker verbs, to refine clarity and precision to your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
extremely
Focuses on the intensity or degree to a great extent, similar to "highly".
very much
Indicates a large amount or degree, comparable to "highly" in emphasizing quantity or extent.
greatly
Emphasizes the magnitude or significance of something, similar to "highly" when stressing importance.
intensely
Highlights the strength or depth of a feeling or quality, similar to "highly" when describing strong emotions or characteristics.
considerably
Indicates a notable degree or extent, resembling "highly" in expressing a significant amount.
remarkably
Stresses the exceptional or noteworthy nature of something, akin to "highly" when emphasizing uniqueness.
exceptionally
Highlights the unusual or outstanding quality of something, similar to "highly" when emphasizing superiority.
particularly
Emphasizes a specific aspect or detail, resembling "highly" when singling out something important.
markedly
Indicates a noticeable or significant change or difference, similar to "highly" when emphasizing alterations.
noticeably
Highlights the easily observed or apparent nature of something, akin to "highly" when emphasizing visibility or clarity.
FAQs
How can I use "highly" in a sentence?
Use "highly" to intensify adjectives or adverbs. For example, "This book is "highly recommended"" or "She is a "highly skilled" professional".
What words can I use instead of "highly"?
Is it correct to say "highly appreciate"?
While not grammatically incorrect, "highly appreciate" can sound redundant. Consider using alternatives like "greatly appreciate" or simply "appreciate" for a more concise expression.
What's the difference between "highly" and "very"?
"Highly" often suggests a more formal or elevated tone compared to "very". For instance, "highly successful" carries a slightly stronger connotation than "very successful", implying a greater degree of achievement or recognition.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested