highly sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly sorry" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It is typically intended to express a strong apology, but the word "highly" is not the appropriate modifier for "sorry." Example: "I am highly sorry for the inconvenience caused."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Towards the end of this exhaustive yet entertaining biography she tackles the politics of the succession head on, arguing from the law of unintended consequences, and the pernickety nature of constitutional reform, to the conclusion that for all his inconsistencies and contradictions, Charles is, if not the best man for the job of head of state, certainly the most highly (sorry!) qualified.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sorry sorry sorry.

The New Yorker

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

BBC

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry.

HuffPost

To the Editor: Re "So Many Ways to Almost Say 'I'm Sorry' " (Week in Review, April 18): It's the "say you're sorry" season for highly compensated bankers, but the apologies ring hollow.

The New York Times

Individual student volunteers were misled into arriving late for a group task, and to compound matters, they were asked to slip on an over-sized Barry Manilow T-shirt before they entered the meeting room Manilow was considered to be highly embarrassing at the time (sorry Barry!).

Vice

Yes, the Health Inspector was a sneaky sort of man, and I felt sorry for old Gavin Highly when I heard my parents talking about him.

The New Yorker

In case you expect me to include 50 Shades of Grey, the Kardashians or Clint Eastwood's profound discussion with a chair, sorry, but nobody actually rated them highly.

Huffington Post

It is little wonder, then, that the sorry state of the nation's roads ranks so highly on taxpayers' lists of gripes.

BBC

If I've broken something that belongs to someone (highly likely, I'm a total klutz) then I will say sorry.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when choosing an appropriate expression of apology to ensure it is well-received.

Common error

Avoid using "highly" to modify "sorry". While "highly" can intensify adjectives like "qualified" or "effective", it doesn't work well with "sorry". Stick to established intensifiers such as "deeply", "truly", or "sincerely" for a more natural and grammatically correct expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly sorry" functions as an attempt to express remorse or regret, but it is not grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI points out, the typical usage suggests using "deeply sorry" or "truly sorry" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly sorry" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's more appropriate to use alternatives like "deeply sorry", "truly sorry", or "sincerely sorry" to express remorse effectively. Although some examples exist in News & Media and Academia, the phrase's rarity and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal or informal communication. Therefore, it is best to avoid using "highly sorry" and opt for more accepted expressions of apology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply sorry

Emphasizes the profoundness of the regret.

truly sorry

Indicates a genuine feeling of remorse.

sincerely sorry

Highlights the honesty and earnestness of the apology.

very sorry

A more common and slightly less intense way of expressing regret.

extremely sorry

Similar to 'deeply sorry' but may sound less formal.

terribly sorry

Emphasizes the severity of the regret.

profoundly sorry

Indicates a deep and intense feeling of sorrow.

apologetic

Focuses on the act of apologizing and feeling regretful.

remorseful

Highlights the feeling of deep regret and guilt.

contrite

Implies a feeling of guilt and willingness to atone.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "highly sorry"?

Instead of "highly sorry", you can use phrases like "deeply sorry", "truly sorry", or "sincerely sorry" to express remorse.

Is it grammatically correct to say "highly sorry"?

No, the phrase "highly sorry" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "deeply sorry" or "genuinely sorry".

How can I express a strong apology effectively?

To convey a strong apology, use phrases that emphasize the depth of your regret, such as "deeply sorry", "profoundly sorry", or "sincerely apologize".

What's the difference between "highly sorry" and "very sorry"?

"Highly sorry" is not standard English and is considered incorrect. "Very sorry" is acceptable but less impactful than "deeply sorry" or "sincerely sorry".