highly commend

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly commend" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express strong approval or praise for someone's actions, efforts, or accomplishments. For example, you could say, "I highly commend Joe for his hard work on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One must therefore highly commend the B.B.C.'s Third Programme for going to the fantastic extravagance of giving two performances of Olivier Messiaen's "Turangalila-Symphonie," a monstrously long and exacting work of which none of our organisations could possibly afford to give a concert-hall performance.

The Guardian - Music

I highly commend Derek Jeter for his philanthropic efforts.

Huffington Post

Increasingly, organizations are seeking authenticity, to be open, honest and transparent workplace environments, which I applaud and highly commend.

Huffington Post

If you have not already experienced what happens when the Canterbury Tales encounters Darwin and his greatest successors, I highly commend the book to you.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Digital Advertising Sales Team were also highly commended.

The Guardian

Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw was highly commended.

The Guardian

- Supplement of the Year - Observer Tech Monthly was highly commended.

The Guardian

The judges "highly commended" Coca-Cola in this category.

The Guardian

Freelance contributors Pete Pattisson and Don McRae were also highly commended in the Sports Scoop and Sports Feature Writer categories respectively.

The Guardian

Below is a selection of this year's winners and highly commended accommodation.

The Guardian - Travel

- Cartoonist of the Year - The Observer's Chris Riddell was highly commended.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly commend", clearly state the specific action or quality you are praising to give context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "highly commend" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more natural expressions like "I really appreciate" or "That's great work" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly commend" functions as a verb phrase, where "highly" modifies the verb "commend" to intensify the level of approval. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate how it is used to express strong support or praise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly commend" is a verb phrase used to express strong approval or praise, primarily found in news, business, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is relatively rare. For more casual scenarios, consider using alternatives like "strongly recommend" or "heartily endorse". When employing "highly commend", ensure it aligns with formal settings and clearly specifies the subject of your praise. Though not frequent, its proper use can effectively convey significant appreciation. The phrase can also be found as part of another phrase like "highly commended" which expresses the state of having received high praise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly recommend

Replaces "commend" with "recommend" and maintains the emphasis using "strongly" instead of "highly".

heartily endorse

Uses "endorse" instead of "commend" and "heartily" for a strong positive sentiment.

earnestly applaud

Emphasizes the act of praising rather than recommending, using "earnestly" to show sincerity.

laud with enthusiasm

Synonymous substitution of "commend" with "laud", using "enthusiasm" to signal the high degree of praise.

give high praise to

Rephrases "commend" as "give praise" and retains the intensity with "high".

express great admiration for

Focuses on the feeling of admiration rather than the act of commending.

speak highly of

A more general expression of positive opinion.

offer sincere appreciation

Uses "appreciation" instead of "commend", focusing on gratitude and sincerity.

regard with great approval

Highlights the approval aspect and shifts the focus to the subject's perspective.

hold in high esteem

Focuses on the respect and admiration held for someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly commend" to express strong approval or praise for someone or something. For example, "I "highly commend" the team for their dedication to the project." It's often used in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "highly commend" and "highly praised"?

"Highly commend" is an action, where you are giving strong approval. "Highly praised" is a state, indicating that someone or something has received a lot of praise. You "highly commend" someone, and as a result, they might become "highly praised".

Are there synonyms for "highly commend" that are suitable for less formal situations?

Yes, in less formal situations, you could use phrases like "strongly recommend", "heartily endorse" or "earnestly applaud". These convey a similar sentiment but may sound more natural in casual settings.

Is "highly commend" the same as "highly commended"?

No, these phrases have distinct meanings. To "highly commend" is to actively express strong approval. To be "highly commended" is to receive this commendation, often in a formal recognition like an award or competition.