Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
highly esteem
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "highly esteem" is not correct in standard English; the correct form is "hold in high esteem." You can use it when expressing a strong respect or admiration for someone or something.
Example: "I hold my mentor in high esteem for their guidance and support throughout my career."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Although relatives and family caregivers face the same lack of information as the patients themselves, they play an important role for palliative care since 70 80% of patients in palliative situations highly esteem their relatives' opinion of decisions regarding their therapy [ 10, 11].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
Politicians are not highly esteemed.
News & Media
Other verse writers were also highly esteemed.
Encyclopedias
During his lifetime Preti was highly esteemed.
News & Media
Their bamboo handicrafts are highly esteemed in the region.
Encyclopedias
Its fruits are edible but not highly esteemed.
Encyclopedias
Vietnamese, or Saigon, cassia is particularly highly esteemed.
Encyclopedias
For its part, the Kremlin has said it highly esteems the British proposal.
News & Media
Some types of osetra, including the golden variety from Iran, are more highly esteemed.
News & Media
Hage is a highly esteemed 45-year-old Beirut-born writer now living in Montreal.
News & Media
"I wouldn't say [Kiselyov] is highly esteemed in the circles I move in," Zasursky adds.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Prefer the phrase "hold in high esteem" or use synonyms like "greatly respect" or "deeply admire" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.
Common error
Do not use "highly esteem" directly. It's better to restructure your sentence to use correct alternatives such as "hold in high esteem" or other appropriate synonyms to prevent grammatical errors.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "highly esteem" functions as an adverb-verb construction intended to express strong admiration or respect. However, according to Ludwig AI, the construction is not grammatically correct; the correct form is "hold in high esteem".
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Encyclopedias
30%
Science
35%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Social Media
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "highly esteem" attempts to convey strong respect or admiration, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "hold in high esteem". If you aim to express strong admiration, consider using alternatives such as "greatly respect" or "deeply admire". These options ensure both grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing. While some sources do use "highly esteem", it's best to opt for more standard and accepted phrases.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
hold in high regard
Replaces "esteem" with "regard" and adds "hold in high" for emphasis and correctness.
regard with great respect
Similar to "hold in high regard" but with a slightly different phrasing.
greatly respect
Uses the verb "respect" with the adverb "greatly" to convey strong admiration.
have great respect for
Directly states the feeling of respect towards someone or something.
deeply admire
Employs the verb "admire" with the adverb "deeply" to express profound appreciation.
think highly of
Uses a phrasal verb construction to indicate a favorable opinion.
have a high opinion of
Expresses a positive assessment using the noun "opinion".
look up to
Uses a phrasal verb to denote respect and admiration, often for someone considered a role model.
value highly
Highlights the importance or worth placed on someone or something.
hold in esteem
Omits "high", making the phrase less emphatic but still conveying respect. However, it is also considered not the standard form
FAQs
What is the correct way to express strong respect or admiration?
Instead of "highly esteem", use the phrase "hold in high esteem" or alternatives such as "greatly respect" or "deeply admire".
Is "highly esteem" grammatically correct?
No, "highly esteem" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "hold in high esteem" or using synonyms.
What are some phrases similar in meaning to "highly esteem"?
Similar phrases include "hold in high regard", "think highly of", and "have a high opinion of".
How can I use "hold in high esteem" in a sentence?
Example: "I hold my mentor in high esteem for their guidance and support throughout my career." You can also rephrase using alternatives like "I "greatly respect" my mentor."
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested