highly favour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly favour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong preference or support for something. Example: "In our survey, the majority of participants highly favour the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I very highly favour Serena for it, not only as she has won so many times but it is a surface that suits her game so beautifully.

The Guardian - Sport

The women highly favour divorce: "Yf they did require divorse/ They might enjoy it, wthout mor remorse/ of doinge ill, than gamesters that give ore/ When they are losers".

The Guardian

The THES ranking has been widely criticized because of its excessive emphasis on peer review (see for instance [42]), that would highly favour British universities.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The species most highly favoured by harvesters produced relatively large resprout shoots.

Forest Ecology and Management

The title was taken by newcomer Japan in a final against the highly favoured U.S.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Smartas may give preference to one deity above the others, and Shiva is highly favoured among them today.

Britannica

Although highly favoured at the royal court, Peter fell into constant conflict with the College of Physicians, who accused him of malpractice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ice dancing made its Olympic debut, and the highly favoured Soviets Lyudmila Pakomova and Aleksandr Gorshkov won the gold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ʿabīd were highly favoured by Ismāʿīl, well paid, and often politically powerful; in 1697 98 they were even given the right to own property.

Britannica

He attracted much attention because of his vehement anticommunism, as well as his bravado, and was highly favoured by U.S. advisers in Vietnam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then we need to plant local, highly favoured, traditionally important food trees to reduce hunger and malnutrition – species like safou, marula, shea, eru, baobab, and hundreds of others producing tasty, nutritious and marketable fruits, nuts and edible leaves.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly favour" when you want to express a strong preference or endorsement, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "highly favour" in very casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "really like" or "prefer" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly favour" functions as a verb phrase where "highly" modifies the verb "favour", intensifying its meaning. It expresses a strong sense of preference or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly favour" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, used to convey a strong preference or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal writing and professional contexts, though it should be used sparingly in casual conversations. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears across diverse sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. Consider alternatives like "strongly support" or "greatly prefer" for similar meanings. Understanding the contexts and nuances of "highly favour" will ensure its effective use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly support

Indicates a firm endorsement, emphasizing the act of giving support.

greatly prefer

Highlights the act of choosing something over another with significant inclination.

have a strong preference for

Emphasizes the intensity of the liking or choice.

give preference to

Focuses on the act of choosing one thing over another.

lean towards

Suggests a tendency to favour something, implying a less decisive preference.

approve of highly

Highlights the act of giving approval with a strong degree of enthusiasm.

are inclined to support

Implies a disposition or tendency to favour, adding a layer of willingness.

are partial to

Indicates a bias or fondness towards something, often without explicit reason.

view with favour

Suggests approval or positive regard, often used in a more formal context.

look upon favorably

Similar to "view with favour", but may imply a more considered assessment.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly favour" to express a strong preference or approval. For example: "The board members "highly favour" the proposed merger".

What are some alternatives to "highly favour"?

Some alternatives to "highly favour" include "strongly support", "greatly prefer", or "have a strong preference for".

Is it correct to say "highly favour" in formal writing?

Yes, "highly favour" is appropriate for formal writing when expressing a strong preference or support.

What's the difference between "highly favour" and "slightly favour"?

"Highly favour" indicates a strong preference or support, whereas "slightly favour" suggests a mild or weak preference.