highly commended for

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly commended for" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to praise or congratulate someone for a successful effort or achievement. For example, "The student was highly commended for their excellent performance in the math competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

- Scoop of the Year - The Guardian was highly commended for its Edward Snowden Files revelations.

The Guardian

Before her conflict with Principal Donald Loughlin, she was highly commended for her work.

The New Yorker

I was a bit pissed off actually, only got a highly commended for my pots.

The Guardian

Rees was also highly commended for the editor of the year category in men's magazines.

The Guardian

The Guardian was also highly commended for its work on the Snowden files in the scoop of the year category.

The Guardian

French baroque opera is performed infrequently in the UK, so English National Opera cannot be too highly commended for taking Rameau's Castor and Pollux into its repertoire.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

There were also highly commended accolades for Donald McRae in the sports feature writer section, and Vic Marks in the cricket writer of the year category.

The Guardian - Sport

We forget how many of our National Basketball Association and N.F.L. players come from backgrounds where they should be very highly commended not only for their sports success, but also for coming through as complete men in an environment that would destroy most of us.

The New York Times - Sports

The learning curve of the game across the various mixes was highly commended by reviewers for helping players to get used to the new controller.

Wikipedia

5 TOTAL SCORE: 20.5 With an impressive 22 points, Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm is crowned King of All Balms, with a special mention for highly commended runner-up, Emma Hardie.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dawn Roberts of the Empowering Youth Foundation in Wrexham was highly commended in the the category for best individual entrepreneur working in a social enterprise or charity for her work in making golf more accessible to deprived youngsters.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly commended for" to specifically highlight the reason for someone's praise, ensuring clarity and impact. For example: "The team was highly commended for their innovative solution."

Common error

While "highly commended for" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "praised for" or "recognized for" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly commended for" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used to indicate that someone or something has received significant praise or recognition for a specific attribute or action. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in highlighting accomplishments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly commended for" is a phrase used to express strong approval or recognition. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in diverse professional and public communication domains. It's particularly common in news and media and scientific contexts. The phrase functions descriptively, highlighting accomplishments or positive qualities, with synonyms like "praised for" or "lauded for" offering similar expressions. While widely acceptable, it's important to avoid overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. Overall, it is a versatile and valuable phrase for acknowledging and celebrating achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lauded for

Emphasizes public praise and admiration.

praised for

A more general term for expressing approval.

recognized for

Highlights acknowledgement of a specific achievement.

applauded for

Implies enthusiastic approval.

celebrated for

Indicates widespread recognition and honor.

acknowledged for

Focuses on the recognition of effort or contribution.

honored for

Suggests a formal recognition or award.

distinguished for

Highlights exceptional quality or achievement.

esteemed for

Implies high respect and admiration.

venerated for

Suggests deep respect and reverence, often used in more formal contexts.

FAQs

What does "highly commended for" mean?

It means someone or something is being praised or recognized for a particular quality or achievement. It implies a strong level of approval but doesn't necessarily mean they won first place or a top award.

What's a less formal way to say "highly commended for"?

You could use phrases like "praised for", "recognized for", or "applauded for" depending on the context.

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

For example: "The author was "highly commended for" their insightful analysis of the topic." or "The company was "highly commended for" its commitment to sustainability."

What's the difference between "highly commended for" and "awarded for"?

"Awarded for" indicates that someone has received a formal prize or recognition, whereas "highly commended for" suggests strong praise and recognition, but without necessarily winning an award. It's like being a runner-up.