highly sought after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly sought after" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies something is desired or in demand, often used to describe objects of luxury or value. For example: "This designer handbag is highly sought after in the fashion industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Dr. Taylor is a highly sought after speaker.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Excellent communication skills are highly sought after too.

The Guardian

"Good people who generate high revenues with their teams are still highly sought after," he said.

The New York Times

His expertise is highly sought after.

The Guardian

This talent is highly sought after.

Harvard Business Review

Chemical engineers are highly sought after by employers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Thameside land is highly sought-after by housing developers.

The Guardian

Today, his artworks are highly sought-after by collectors.

Independent

Upon graduation, Columbia MBAs are highly sought-after by industry leaders around the world.

Columbia University

Our distinguished faculty members are highly sought-after for their international meeting participation and leadership.

Cornell University

TJ is so highly sought-after that only one in six applicants is accepted.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly sought after", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is seeking it and why. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "highly sought after" to describe everyday items or commonplace situations. Reserve it for scenarios where the demand or desirability is truly exceptional to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly sought after" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun, indicating that the noun is in great demand or is very desirable. Ludwig's examples show this phrase modifying various nouns, such as 'speakers', 'land', and 'artworks'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

37%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly sought after" is a versatile adjective phrase used to emphasize the desirability and demand for something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. It functions as a pre-modifying adjective, highlighting the value of the noun it describes. To enhance your writing, reserve "highly sought after" for scenarios where the demand is truly exceptional and avoid overuse in simplistic contexts. Alternatives like "in high demand" or "much coveted" can also be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sought-after

A shorter, hyphenated version of the original phrase.

In high demand

Emphasizes the demand aspect more directly.

Widely desired

Focuses on the desire or wish for something by many people.

Much coveted

Implies a strong desire and perhaps envy from others.

Extremely popular

Highlights the popularity and widespread appeal.

Desired by many

Expresses the idea that numerous people wish to have or experience something

Valued greatly

Focuses on the high value placed on something.

Premium

Indicates superior quality and exclusivity, leading to high demand.

Choice

Suggests that something is selected over other options, implying desirability.

Select

Similar to "choice", it indicates a preference for something.

FAQs

How can I use "highly sought after" in a sentence?

You can use "highly sought after" to describe anything that is in great demand, such as "This antique is "highly sought after" by collectors" or "Her skills are "highly sought after" in the tech industry".

What's a phrase similar to "highly sought after"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in high demand", "much coveted", or "widely desired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "sought after" instead of "highly sought after"?

Yes, "sought after" is a correct and more concise alternative. Adding "highly" simply intensifies the degree of desirability, but both are grammatically sound and usable.

Can "highly sought after" be used for both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, it can be used for both. You can say "This car is "highly sought after"" (tangible) or "His expertise is "highly sought after"" (intangible).