highly captivating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly captivating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very interesting or holds attention strongly. Example: "The novel was highly captivating, keeping me engaged from the first page to the last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The final moments of "The Spectators" belong to Maggie Cloud, a young and highly captivating dancer, who recapitulates motifs on and off the centerline, her arms extended behind her like the "Winged Victory of Samothrace".

The New York Times - Arts

Ferguson later came to HBS to see the ensuing case study taught, provide his views, and answer students' questions, resulting in standing-room-only conditions in my classroom and a highly captivating exchange.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sarah Ellison, a former Journal reporter, wrote a highly regarded, captivating book, War At The Wall Street Journal, that captured the drama, intensity, corporate infighting, and financial deal-making that left the Journal in Murdoch's hands.

Huffington Post

Des Barres wrote that "past the graphics", which were purposefully 8-bit for nostalgia, the game is not an "entry level" or a "child's" RPG, but "highly intelligent" and "captivating".

Wikipedia

Teaneck Kebab House This Afghan restaurant, one of very few in the state, serves captivating food — highly but subtly seasoned, touched with influences from the Middle East, the Asian subcontinent and even Europe.

The New York Times

The faculty has been highly inspiring and the teaching most captivating.

Columbia University

The faculty has been highly inspiring and the teaching - most captivating.

Columbia University

This is a timely, captivating and clear presentation of yet another and highly significant testimony to the fact that in nature, we rarely encounter clear boundaries.

Biology Direct

A new dramatic form for spoken theatre was required, one exhilarating enough to captivate a highly charged, post-revolutionary society in dire need of direction in its newly democratized life.

Johns Hopkins University

She heads to the Modern period to investigate Webern's highly individual conception of serialism in his Symphony, Op 21 - a work of captivating beauty.

BBC

Wilson Morales at BlackFilm.com praised Woodley and Elgort's performances, saying they "are so captivating and genuine in their performances, they manage to make this intensely poignant film very moving, romantic and highly entertaining".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly captivating" when you want to express a strong degree of interest or fascination with something, ensuring the context aligns with a formal or semi-formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "highly captivating" too frequently in your writing. Overuse of intensifiers can weaken your message and make your writing sound less sincere. Instead, vary your language by choosing different descriptive adjectives that capture the specific nuance of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly captivating" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its ability to strongly attract and hold attention. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing a dancer and a book, demonstrating its capacity to characterize various subjects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly captivating" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that effectively conveys a strong sense of interest and fascination. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly news media and academia, and it is considered a neutral term. Alternatives such as "extremely engaging" or "deeply intriguing" can be used to add variety to your writing. While effective, avoid overuse of intensifiers to maintain the strength and sincerity of your message. While its frequency is currently uncommon, its clear meaning and versatility make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely engaging

Replaces "highly captivating" with synonyms to convey a similar level of interest.

deeply intriguing

Uses different adjectives to emphasize the profound interest evoked.

utterly fascinating

Emphasizes the complete and absorbing nature of the interest.

intensely absorbing

Highlights the immersive quality that holds attention.

remarkably interesting

Focuses on the unusual and noteworthy nature of the interest.

exceptionally appealing

Shifts the focus to the attractive and pleasing qualities.

genuinely enthralling

Emphasizes the authentic and captivating nature of the interest.

unusually gripping

Highlights the ability to seize and hold attention tightly.

incredibly riveting

Uses a strong synonym to convey a compelling and exciting interest.

extraordinarily compelling

Focuses on the irresistible and persuasive nature of the interest.

FAQs

What does "highly captivating" mean?

The phrase "highly captivating" describes something that is extremely interesting and able to hold your attention. It suggests a strong sense of fascination or engagement.

How can I use "highly captivating" in a sentence?

You can use "highly captivating" to describe various subjects. For example, "The performance was "highly captivating", leaving the audience in awe" or "Her presentation was "highly captivating", and everyone was completely engaged".

What are some alternatives to "highly captivating"?

Some alternatives to "highly captivating" include "extremely engaging", "deeply intriguing", or "utterly fascinating". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "highly captivating" formal or informal?

"Highly captivating" is generally considered suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. While not overly stuffy, it is more appropriate for professional or academic writing than casual conversation.