is highly protective of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is highly protective of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that takes great care to shield or defend a person, group, or thing from harm or criticism. Example: "The organization is highly protective of its members' privacy and personal information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Aldi is highly protective of its reputation as a squeaky-clean, family-owned business.

The Economist

The government is highly protective of the language, so anyone without a solid grasp of French will find it hard to get a formal position.

The Guardian - Money

The vice president, who is highly protective of his mother, no longer allows her to grant formal interviews, and she has not done one in three years.

The New York Times

French law is highly protective of privacy, lawyers say, treating certain invasions of private life as criminal matters.

The New York Times

In France, the law is highly protective of private life and limits the possibilities for media investigations on the political class.

The New York Times

Andrew M. Cuomo, who is highly protective of his girls, who is obsessed with the workings of cars and who jealously guards his privacy, handled the task in classic Cuomo style.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She was born 40 years ago in a society that was highly protective of women.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, he praised the ABS for being highly protective of the confidential information collected.

The Guardian

Iraq might break up -- and the Russians have their own reasons to be highly protective of the principle of territorial integrity.

The New York Times

But that has not kept the members here from being highly protective of what they have: most are wary of publicity, lest outsiders learn about the place.

The New York Times

"Both C.P.S.C. and McDonald's are being highly protective of children in announcing this recall," Mr. Wolfson said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or values, use "is highly protective of" to emphasize the importance of safeguarding them. For example: "The company is highly protective of its intellectual property."

Common error

Avoid using ""is highly protective of"" when a more active verb would be clearer and more direct. Instead of saying, "The area is highly protective of wildlife," consider "The area actively protects wildlife" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is highly protective of" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's tendency to safeguard something. Ludwig AI highlights various instances, like describing how someone is protective of their family or a company is protective of its reputation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is highly protective of" is a versatile phrase that communicates a strong safeguarding or defensive stance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it can be used across different registers, it's advisable to choose synonyms that better reflect the context and desired formality level. Be mindful of overusing it in passive constructions, opting instead for active verbs where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is very defensive of

Emphasizes the act of defending more strongly than the concern for protection.

is strongly safeguarding

Highlights the active process of keeping something or someone safe.

is intensely guarding

Conveys a more fervent and vigilant protection.

is extremely vigilant about

Focuses on attentiveness and watchfulness in preventing harm.

is keenly protective toward

Indicates a sharp and eager sense of protection.

is fiercely devoted to shielding

Shows a strong dedication to protecting someone or something.

is resolutely defending

Highlights a firm and determined stance in defending.

is dedicated to preserving

Focuses on maintaining and protecting something in its current state.

is committed to safeguarding

Emphasizes a pledge or promise to protect.

is zealous in its preservation of

Highlights extreme enthusiasm and diligence in protecting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is highly protective of" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can replace "is highly protective of" with phrases like "zealous in its preservation of" or "is committed to safeguarding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is highly protective of" and "is very defensive of"?

"Is highly protective of" generally implies a proactive guarding or shielding, whereas "is very defensive of" suggests a reaction to a perceived threat or criticism. The former emphasizes prevention, while the latter focuses on rebuttal or justification.

How to use "is highly protective of" in a sentence about personal relationships?

You can use "is highly protective of" to describe someone who is very caring and defends their loved ones. For instance, "He is highly protective of his younger sister and always stands up for her."

Is it correct to use "was highly protective of" to describe past behavior?

Yes, it is correct. "Was highly protective of" describes someone's behavior or attitude in the past, indicating that they strongly guarded or defended something at that time. For example, "She was highly protective of her research data during the project."