most highly

USAGE SUMMARY

"most highly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize the highest degree or level of something. Example: She was praised most highly for her hard work and determination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most highly recommended.

Stanford University

Toroidal devices are the most highly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many readers value Chesterton's fiction most highly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neil always spoke most highly of his father.

The New York Times

Magnet schools, for example, attract the most highly motivated students.

The New York Times

The most highly publicized incidents were the two murder cases.

The New York Times - Sports

But mostly, Portland was the team spoken of most highly.

The New York Times - Sports

"Historically, wage moves are most highly correlated with inflation.

The Guardian - Money

Our polling suggested "listening" as the most highly valued trait.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most highly refined clowning was performed by Chang Changhua.

The New Yorker

The best-reviewed, most highly anticipated drama of the year?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider rephrasing "most highly" with a more specific alternative if the context allows. For example, instead of "most highly valued trait", you could say "most prized quality" or "top priority".

Common error

Avoid using "most highly" in overly casual or informal writing. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "very" or "extremely" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most highly" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the degree to which a verb or adjective is expressed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most highly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to emphasize the exceptional degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers, though it's best suited for formal or professional writing. While there are many ways to rephrase it, such as "highly regarded" or "greatly appreciated", "most highly" offers a unique emphasis, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly regarded

Focuses on the esteem or respect something or someone receives.

best regarded

Indicates the highest level of respect or consideration.

very respected

Similar to 'highly regarded' but uses simpler vocabulary.

most esteemed

A more formal and refined way of saying "most highly" regarded.

exceptionally prized

Highlights the rare and special quality that makes something valuable.

extremely valued

Replaces "most highly" with a more direct adjective-based expression of value.

supremely valued

Emphasizes the exceptional degree to which something is valued.

greatly appreciated

Emphasizes the positive reception or gratitude associated with something.

highest-rated

Implies a superior evaluation or assessment.

top-ranked

Suggests a position at the top of a hierarchy or list.

FAQs

How can I use "most highly" in a sentence?

"Most highly" is typically used to modify verbs or adjectives, emphasizing the exceptional degree of the action or quality. For example, "He was "most highly regarded" by his peers" or "The skill is "most highly valued" in this profession".

What are some alternatives to "most highly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "highly regarded", "greatly appreciated", "extremely valued", or "best regarded".

Is it correct to say "highly most" instead of "most highly"?

No, "highly most" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "most highly", where "most" modifies the adverb "highly" to indicate the highest degree.

What is the difference between "highly valued" and "most highly valued"?

"Highly valued" indicates that something is valued to a great extent. "Most highly valued" implies that it is valued to the greatest extent compared to other things or options. The addition of "most" adds a superlative emphasis.