highly familiar with

USAGE SUMMARY

'highly familiar with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone as being very knowledgeable or experienced with something. For example, "John is highly familiar with computer programming, having written several programs himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The final column in Table  4, labeled "familiarity" shows that junior researchers in our study are highly familiar with Epidemiology (87%) and Environmental Health (74%) and least familiar with Health Economics in disciplinary categorization, however the least familiar sub-competencies are not from Health Economics.

BMC Health Services Research

Hagel is highly familiar with veterans' issues.

The Washington Post

He is highly familiar with the British music business and friends with Mr. Berry, the head of EMI Records.

The New York Times

The delegates will have been highly familiar with the content long before they arrived in the cavernous hall – though Xi Jinping, Hu's heir apparent, nonetheless scribbled assiduously throughout.

The Guardian

(The link is available only to subscribers with Times Insider access). He wasn't wild about Pokémon when it was just on playing cards in the 1990s, but it's clear he is highly familiar with the characters.

The New York Times - Tech

At McKinsey, employees are highly familiar with stories about long-time managing director Marvin Bower's integrity, and at Starbucks, stories are widely told about CEO Howard Schultz's commitment to employee welfare.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Taken together, the present experimental settings were more naturalistic than the previous one, in that the observer who is highly familiar and experienced with the sport watched a naturalistic scene of a professional game.

Plosone

Taking on an icon of Diana proportions is more challenging: with the highly familiar history welded to an invented tale, it's hard for the reader to let go and wallow in the narrative, and the novel comes dangerously close to painting itself into a corner.

The Guardian - Books

However, it aims to appeal to a mainstream UK market with a highly familiar plug and light switch design where the switch itself moves when you switch it off.

TechCrunch

So he really needs the key thing Wilder and Patrick both had--an active partnership with a highly familiar white sponsor.

Huffington Post

Now there was a delay of 1, 15 or 90 min before Trial 7, when a novel object was paired with the highly familiar object ('novel object vs. highly familiar object recognition').

European Journal of Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly familiar with" to describe someone's expertise or deep understanding of a subject or process. For example, "The engineer is highly familiar with the intricacies of bridge construction."

Common error

Avoid using excessive intensifiers like "very" or "extremely" before "highly familiar with", as it can sound redundant. "Highly" already implies a significant degree of familiarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly familiar with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing a subject's level of expertise or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly familiar with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a strong level of knowledge or experience. According to Ludwig AI, it is used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. While versatile, be mindful of avoiding redundancy by omitting additional intensifiers. Alternatives like "well-acquainted with" or "deeply versed in" can add nuance depending on the context. This phrase can be effectively employed in many cases and is widely considered as an accurate descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-acquainted with

Emphasizes a strong level of knowledge, often implying a personal connection or deep understanding.

deeply versed in

Suggests extensive learning and expertise, often in academic or specialized subjects.

thoroughly conversant with

Implies a comprehensive understanding and ability to discuss something in detail.

intimately acquainted with

Indicates a very close and personal familiarity, often gained through long experience.

knowledgeable about

A more general term for having information and understanding about a topic.

experienced in

Focuses on practical knowledge and skills gained through direct involvement.

proficient in

Highlights competence and skill in a particular area, especially a technical one.

adept at

Implies a natural talent and skill in doing something.

au fait with

A more formal and somewhat old-fashioned way of saying familiar with, often used in British English.

conversant in

Similar to "thoroughly conversant with" but can also refer to fluency in a language.

FAQs

How can I use "highly familiar with" in a sentence?

Use "highly familiar with" to indicate a strong level of knowledge or experience. For example: "She is "highly familiar with" the local customs."

What are some alternatives to "highly familiar with"?

You can use alternatives such as "well-acquainted with", "deeply versed in", or "thoroughly conversant with" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very highly familiar with"?

Yes, using "very" before "highly" is generally redundant. "Highly" already implies a significant degree of familiarity, so adding "very" doesn't add much meaning and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "familiar with" and "highly familiar with"?

"Familiar with" suggests a basic understanding or acquaintance, while ""highly familiar with"" indicates a much deeper level of knowledge and experience.