highly obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly obliged" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used to express a strong sense of gratitude or indebtedness, although "much obliged" is more standard. Example: "I am highly obliged for your assistance in this matter; it has made a significant difference."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The researchers are highly obliged and thankful to Fairfax County for their open permission for researchers.

Language Testing in Asia

I am highly obliged to Mr. Arun Mahato, local inhabitant of Salboni, Paschim Medinipur for assisting in field work and data analysis.

City, Territory and Architecture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While formal apprenticeships can offer a desirable route for those developing manual or technical skills, highly qualified graduates are often obliged to make their professional entrée by providing cheap labour as interns.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were now obliged to run some highly complicated — and expensive — lab tests.

The New York Times

Since it is almost inconceivable that Russia will agree to the forthcoming extradition request, it is highly unlikely that he will be obliged to defend himself in court.

The Economist

Or would we be obliged to employ lots of highly-paid economic equality officers?

The Guardian - Opinion

Highly-caffeinated energy drinks in Finland are obliged to carry warning labels - a practice that will be extended across the EU from 2014.

BBC

Was the last doctor justified in leaving the patients, or should he or she have been obliged to single-handedly treat the highly and dangerously infectious Ebola patients?

Emerging Infectious Diseases

In addition, many migrant groups (the highly skilled and migrants from EU countries) are not obliged to take the integration exam.

Comparative Migration Studies

When markets swooned, they were obliged to stand behind the big and the highly connected (as well as their creditors), but found themselves ill-equipped.

The Economist

In healthcare, physicians — also highly educated and skilled professionals with little tolerance for inefficiency — are obliged to use electronic health records (EHR) systems, most of which (from a physician's perspective) work quite poorly.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly obliged" in formal contexts where a slightly archaic or heightened tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "highly obliged" in casual or informal conversations, as it may sound overly formal or out of place. Stick to simpler expressions of gratitude like "thank you" or "I appreciate it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly obliged" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a subject (often 'I' or 'we') to express a strong feeling of gratitude or indebtedness. Ludwig examples show it used to thank someone for assistance or permission.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly obliged" is a grammatically acceptable but less common phrase used to express deep gratitude or indebtedness. Ludwig suggests that more conventional alternatives such as "deeply grateful" or "much obliged" are generally preferred in modern writing. While the phrase appears in formal and scientific contexts, its infrequent usage can make it sound overly formal in casual settings. Therefore, consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing to use "highly obliged".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply grateful

Emphasizes the intensity of gratitude; more common and versatile.

greatly appreciative

Highlights a strong feeling of thankfulness; suitable for formal contexts.

much obliged

A more conventional and widely recognized expression of gratitude.

extremely thankful

Directly conveys a high degree of thankfulness; simple and clear.

highly indebted

Focuses on a sense of obligation or owing something in return.

very grateful

A straightforward and commonly used way to express thankfulness.

sincerely thankful

Adds a touch of genuineness to the expression of gratitude.

eternally grateful

Expresses gratitude that will last forever; strong and emotive.

under obligation

Emphasizes the feeling of being bound to do something in return for a favor.

incredibly appreciative

Similar to 'greatly appreciative' but with a stronger emphasis.

FAQs

What does "highly obliged" mean?

The phrase "highly obliged" is a formal way of expressing gratitude or a sense of indebtedness. It's similar to saying "very grateful" or "much obliged".

What can I say instead of "highly obliged"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply grateful", "much obliged", or "greatly appreciative" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "highly obliged"?

Yes, "highly obliged" is grammatically correct, but it is less common and more formal than other expressions of gratitude. Ludwig's data shows that alternative phrases might be more suitable for modern writing.

What's the difference between "highly obliged" and "much obliged"?

Both phrases express gratitude, but "much obliged" is more commonly used and widely recognized. "Highly obliged" is a slightly more emphatic and less frequent variant.