i think highly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I think highly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a positive opinion or admiration for someone or something. Example: "I think highly of her work ethic and dedication to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I think highly of myself.

The New York Times

I think highly of them, very much so.

The Guardian - Sport

But she is also, I think, highly competitive and quite tough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think highly of his tax package," said Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma.

The New York Times

His take on Ms. Whitman: "I think highly of Meg as a C.E.O.

The New York Times

"I think highly of myself and I think you have to," said Maggette, who has a bodybuilder's physique.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I thought highly and was very fond of Joe.

The New York Times

But I was 24, optimistic, and – so I thought – highly motivated.

The Guardian

I thought highly of him as a cook and as a man".

The New York Times

"I took him as a favor to a headmaster from a 'famous' school because the headmaster, who I thought highly of, gave his recommendation and thought that he had great potential," Mr. Stewart said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

"What is this LinkedIn thing anyway," I asked myself, "some sort of pyramid scam?" I thought highly of the person who sent me the invitation, so I went to the LinkedIn Web site to see what it was about.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i think highly", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of your positive assessment. For example, "I think highly of her leadership skills" provides more clarity than simply "I think highly."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "i think highly" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I really like" or "I respect" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i think highly" functions as an evaluative expression. It is used to convey a positive judgment or assessment of someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and grammatically correct way to express respect or admiration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i think highly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying positive regard or admiration. As Ludwig AI validates, it is suitable for both formal and professional settings, though simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual conversations. Analysis reveals its frequent occurrence in news and media, and formal business contexts. Related phrases like "i have a high opinion of" or "i hold in high regard" offer subtle variations in emphasis and formality. When using this phrase, ensure clear context and consider the audience to maintain an appropriate tone. While grammatically correct, it's important to avoid overuse, especially in informal contexts where a more direct expression of approval may be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i have a high opinion of

Replaces "think" with "have an opinion", focusing on the resulting viewpoint.

i think very well of

Emphasizes the positive nature of the opinion with "very well".

i hold in high regard

More formal, emphasizing respect and esteem.

i have great respect for

Focuses on the feeling of respect.

i admire greatly

Highlights admiration as the primary emotion.

i think the world of

An idiomatic expression emphasizing strong affection and positive regard.

i esteem greatly

A more formal and less common way to express high regard.

i rate highly

Focuses on evaluation and ranking in terms of quality or worth.

i value greatly

Emphasizes the importance or worth that someone places on something.

i appreciate greatly

Highlights the appreciation for someone's qualities or actions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "i think highly"?

You can use alternatives like "i have a high opinion of", "i hold in high regard", or "i admire greatly" depending on the context.

Is "i think highly of" the same as "i think very of"?

No, "i think highly of" expresses a positive opinion or admiration, while "i think very of" is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. You should always use "highly" to convey respect or a positive evaluation.

How to use "i think highly" in a sentence?

Use "i think highly" followed by "of" and the subject you are praising. For example, "I think highly of her dedication to the team" or "I think highly of this approach".

What's the difference between "i think highly of" and "i thought highly of"?

"I think highly of" expresses a current positive opinion, while "I thought highly of" indicates a past positive opinion. The tense changes the timeframe of your assessment.