highly commended

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly commended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has been praised or favorably noted by others. For example, "The CEO's speech at the annual conference was highly commended by the entire Board of Directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The investigators are to be highly commended.

Seminars in Oncology Nursing

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

The Guardian

The Digital Advertising Sales Team were also highly commended.

The Guardian

Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw was highly commended.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Animal portraits category: Steward Ellett, Curiosity, highly commended.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I must highly commend Frank da Cruz.

Columbia University

I highly commend Mr. Yang for his approach of investing 55% of his revenues to his employees.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For that I highly commend him.

Los Angeles Times

I highly commend Derek Jeter for his philanthropic efforts.

Huffington Post

I highly commend the quick, calm and compassionate actions of Carthew and Allen.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly commended" to acknowledge achievements that deserve recognition but may not have won first place.

Common error

Avoid using "highly commended" when the subject has clearly won or achieved the top position. The phrase specifically denotes recognition short of winning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly commended" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has received significant praise or recognition. Ludwig provides several examples of its use in different contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

11%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly commended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to denote strong approval or recognition, especially in situations where something or someone nearly won. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across varied contexts, including news, academia, and business. While versatile, it's essential to use the phrase accurately, avoiding its misuse as a direct synonym for "winner". Related phrases like ""praised highly"" and ""lauded"" can serve as alternatives, but each carries subtle differences in emphasis. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praised highly

Reverses the order of words but maintains nearly identical meaning.

received high praise

Highlights the act of receiving praise rather than conferring it.

highly regarded

Emphasizes the high opinion held by others.

lauded

Implies enthusiastic praise and admiration; more emphatic.

well-received

Indicates a positive reception from an audience or critics.

acknowledged as excellent

Explicitly states the recognition of excellence.

greatly appreciated

Focuses on gratitude and value attributed to something.

given accolades

Focuses on awards or honors received.

distinguished

Implies special recognition for outstanding qualities.

celebrated

Suggests a more public and festive form of commendation.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly commended" to describe something or someone that received recognition and praise, but did not win first place. For example, "The student's essay was "highly commended" by the judges."

What is an alternative to saying "highly commended"?

Alternatives include "praised highly", "lauded", or "well-received depending on the context".

Is "highly commended" formal or informal?

"Highly commended" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more frequently found in formal writing and professional settings.

What does it mean when something is "highly commended"?

When something is "highly commended", it means it has received significant praise and recognition, often in a competitive setting, but did not win the top prize.