speak highly

USAGE SUMMARY

"speak highly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate admiration and positive regard for someone or something. For example, "I had heard much about their school and all of my friends spoke highly of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can't speak highly enough of him.

The Guardian - Sport

"I can't speak highly enough about him".

The Guardian - Sport

"I can't speak highly enough of it".

The Guardian

I can't speak highly enough of him".

The Guardian - Sport

I can't speak highly enough of them.

The Guardian

I can't speak highly enough about them".

The New York Times

It does not speak highly of the D.A.'s office".

The New York Times

"I can't really speak highly enough of him," Bale said.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I can't speak highly enough of St Helens.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, many of Owens's teammates speak highly of him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can't speak highly enough of him," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "speak highly", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being praised. For greater impact, follow it with specific examples of the positive qualities or achievements being recognized.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "speaks highly" of something without explaining why. Providing concrete reasons or details strengthens the endorsement and makes it more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak highly" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of expressing strong approval or admiration for someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speak highly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to convey admiration or approval. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and appropriate for use in diverse writing scenarios. The phrase enjoys considerable prevalence in news media and formal business settings. To enhance the impact of using the phrase "speak highly", it is best practice to provide concrete examples of positive qualities. While versatile, remember "speak highly of" is preferred. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing positive sentiments, provided it's used with clear and specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

praise highly

Emphasizes the act of giving praise, similar to "speak highly" but slightly more direct.

think highly of

Focuses on the positive opinion held, rather than the act of expressing it.

have a high opinion of

Similar to "think highly of", highlighting the favorable viewpoint.

express admiration for

More formal and explicitly conveys admiration.

commend

A more formal and concise way of expressing approval.

rave about

Indicates enthusiastic and effusive praise.

extol the virtues of

Highlights the positive qualities being praised in a more elaborate manner.

speak volumes about

Implies that something reveals positive qualities without needing explicit praise.

give a glowing recommendation

Specifically refers to providing a positive reference.

applaud

Emphasizes formal recognition and approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "speak highly" to indicate that someone expresses positive opinions or admiration for someone or something. For example, "The manager "speaks highly" of her work ethic."

What are some alternatives to "speak highly"?

Some alternatives to "speak highly" include "praise highly", "think highly of", or "express admiration for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "speak highly of" or "speak highly about"?

"Speak highly of" is generally considered more grammatically correct and idiomatic than "speak highly about". While both are understandable, "speak highly of" is the preferred usage.

What does it mean when someone says they "can't speak highly enough" of something?

When someone says they "can't "speak highly" enough" of something, it means they have extremely positive feelings about it and are very impressed or satisfied. It's a strong expression of approval.