highly discerning about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly discerning about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very selective or critical regarding a particular subject or choice. Example: "She is highly discerning about the art she chooses to display in her gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She mentions that more than 100 respondents said they were "highly discerning about who they'll pass time with, reveal limited personal information, don protective layers of cynicism and sarcasm, and project bravada, defensiveness or aloofness," all as ways to keep other women at a distance.

The New York Times - Books

Yum!'s initial hope was to create a large national chain, but Chinese food poses significant challenges in a fast-food context: Noodles and vegetables must be prepared just before serving; customers are highly discerning about freshness and traditional flavors; and tastes vary widely across regions.

Harvard Business Review

Together, the comparison of DRCs for purine-like leads suggests that 5– 8 may bind the ATP-binding pocket in a different orientation than adenine and that the enzymes are highly discerning about what moieties can be added at this position as a large number of related molecules did not inhibit multiple HKs (Supporting Information Table 1, compounds S4, S27 38).

ACS Chemical Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Be discerning about advice from others.

WikiHow

Regardless, the film reportedly earned a standing ovation from an often reserved and highly discerning awards season crowd.

Independent

Della Volpe said such young voters were "highly discerning", with deep concern for their country and a desire to engage politically.

The Guardian

How have you leveraged content and education to build trust with a highly discerning consumer group?

Forbes

Indonesian ikats are the top local collectibles with a highly discerning global market.

Forbes

Our highly discerning TechCrunch editors will review all eligible applications and then select 15 pre-Series A startups to compete.

TechCrunch

The vetting process is very competitive, and our TechCrunch editors — a highly discerning lot — will thoroughly review every eligible application.

TechCrunch

Up to 15 pre-Series A startups — chosen by our highly discerning TechCrunch editors — compete in three preliminary rounds.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly discerning about", ensure the context justifies the emphasis on selectivity and critical judgment. It's most appropriate when discussing quality, expertise, or significant decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "highly discerning about" in everyday situations where simple preference would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or overly formal. Opt for alternatives like "selective about" or "particular about" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly discerning about" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a high degree of selectivity or discrimination. As seen in Ludwig, it describes someone who is critical and thoughtful about their choices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly discerning about" describes a refined sense of selectivity and critical judgment. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, but suggests it should be used judiciously, reserving it for situations where this emphasis is truly warranted. While sources show that the expression isn't very common, the phrase appears in news, science, and wiki sources. For less formal settings, alternatives like "very selective about" or "particular about" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very selective about

Replaces "highly discerning" with a more common synonym; less formal.

extremely critical of

Focuses on the critical aspect of discerning, implying a more negative judgment.

particular about

Indicates a preference for specific details; less intense than "highly discerning".

fastidious regarding

Implies a high level of detail and care in selection; more formal.

discriminating in

Highlights the ability to distinguish between options; similar in formality.

having refined taste in

Suggests an appreciation for quality and aesthetics.

choosy about

A more informal way of saying selective.

selective with

Emphasizes careful selection when choosing something or someone.

careful when choosing

Highlights the caution and deliberation involved in the selection process.

exacting regarding

Stresses the high standards and precision involved.

FAQs

What does "highly discerning about" mean?

The phrase "highly discerning about" means being very selective and critical when making choices or judgments. It suggests a refined taste or a high level of discrimination.

How can I use "highly discerning about" in a sentence?

You can use "highly discerning about" to describe someone who is very selective. For example, "She is "highly discerning about" the books she chooses to read."

What can I say instead of "highly discerning about"?

You can use alternatives like "very selective about", "extremely critical of", or "particular about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "discerning" or "highly discerning"?

Both "discerning" and "highly discerning" are correct, but "highly discerning" emphasizes a greater degree of selectivity and critical judgment. Choose the one that best fits the level of emphasis you want to convey.