highly literate

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly literate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone who has an advanced level of literacy, often in multiple languages. For example, "My sister is a highly literate person, with an impressive knowledge of French, Spanish, and German."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a highly literate country.

The New Yorker

My highly literate patient looked puzzled.

The New York Times - Health

Manusians are highly literate by PNG standards, hospitable, laidback, curious.

The Guardian

The dialogue that follows is elegant, witty and highly literate.

The New York Times

Darke is a highly literate, quirky and emotional announcer.

The New York Times - Sports

The haredim are highly literate and perfectly capable of working.

The Economist

Initially Carolyn works as a concept: a highly literate scam artist.

The New York Times - Books

The highly literate Brooklyn-based pop group Spielerfrau will also perform.

The New Yorker

"Even in highly literate communities, people often don't always know what they have consented to.

The Guardian

Latvia has a highly literate people and is proximate to the world's richest Scandinavia countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Elizabeth Bell's highly literate piano music was an example of continuation.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly literate" to describe individuals or populations with advanced reading and writing skills, especially when emphasizing their ability to understand complex texts or engage in nuanced communication.

Common error

Avoid using "highly literate" when you simply mean "educated" or "intelligent". While literacy often correlates with education, "highly literate" specifically refers to advanced proficiency in reading and writing, not overall knowledge or cognitive ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly literate" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a person, group, or text characterized by advanced reading and writing skills. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly literate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes advanced reading and writing abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic discourse. While often associated with education, it specifically emphasizes linguistic proficiency and comprehension. When using this phrase, consider whether you intend to convey overall knowledge or the specific ability to engage with complex written material. Alternatives like "extremely well-read" or "exceptionally articulate" may offer more precise descriptions depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely well-read

This alternative emphasizes the breadth of reading experience rather than general literacy.

possessing advanced literacy skills

This alternative focuses on the skills aspect of literacy, highlighting proficiency.

exceptionally articulate

This focuses on the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in speech and writing.

demonstrating a superior command of language

This alternative highlights a strong grasp of linguistic principles and vocabulary.

having a profound understanding of written texts

This emphasizes a deep comprehension of what is read, not just the ability to decode it.

exhibiting sophisticated reading comprehension

Similar to previous, focuses primarily on reading ability with a measure of sophistication

proficient in multiple languages

This alternative emphasizes linguistic ability and knowledge.

erudite

This alternative highlights a deep and wide-ranging knowledge acquired through extensive study and reading.

accomplished in letters

This is a more formal and literary way of expressing high literacy, suggesting skill in writing and literary arts.

intellectually adept

Focuses on overall intellectual ability, with literacy being a component thereof.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The study found that the students from that school were "highly literate" and capable of analyzing complex texts" or "The author's "highly literate" style made his essays both informative and engaging".

What are some synonyms for "highly literate"?

Alternatives include "extremely well-read", "exceptionally articulate", or "possessing advanced literacy skills", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "highly literate and educated"?

While education and literacy are related, they aren't synonymous. Saying "highly literate and educated" emphasizes both strong reading/writing skills and a broader base of knowledge. It is acceptable if you want to make a strong emphasis.

What's the difference between "highly literate" and "well-read"?

"Highly literate" implies a strong command of reading and writing skills, while "well-read" specifically refers to having read a lot of books. You can be "well-read" without being "highly literate", and vice versa, although the two often go together.