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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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highly

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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.

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

The Guardian

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.

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

The Guardian

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".

This makes a risk-averse, highly centralised banking system even more risk-averse and conservative.

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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".

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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"?

Alternatives include "extremely", "very much", or "greatly", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: