spoke very highly

USAGE SUMMARY

"spoke very highly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone had positive and favorable opinions about someone or something. For example: "My boss spoke very highly of me after the presentation, which made me feel great."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Anthony spoke very highly of you.

The New Yorker

"His mother spoke very highly of him.

The New York Times

Brendan spoke very highly about him.

The Guardian - Sport

The opposite -- he spoke very highly of America".

The New York Times

My father spoke very highly of the CCC and its accomplishments and what an impact it had on his life.

University of California, Berkeley

"I am good friends with Jack Brooks [Yorkshire's former Northants seamer] and he spoke very highly of Gillespie, too.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

All speak very highly of him.

The New Yorker

Rowan speaks very highly of him".

The Guardian

"People speak very highly of you," he said.

The Guardian - Books

"Everyone who has worked with him speaks very highly of him.

Independent

He speaks very highly of you, and he'd like to make a follow-up appointment".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spoke very highly", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the speaking and who or what they are praising. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous pronoun references when using "spoke very highly". Make sure it's clear who is doing the speaking and who or what they are referring to. For example, instead of "They spoke very highly of him", specify "The managers spoke very highly of John" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoke very highly" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone expressed strong approval or admiration for a person, object, or idea. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various contexts to convey positive assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spoke very highly" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong approval or admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and The Guardian. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and academic contexts, suggesting its versatility. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "praised enthusiastically" or "spoke favorably of". When employing "spoke very highly", ensure clarity in pronoun references and context to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spoke favorably of

A simpler, more direct alternative.

Spoke well of

A common and slightly less emphatic option.

Spoke of with great admiration

Highlights the feeling of admiration in the speaker's words.

Praised enthusiastically

Emphasizes the enthusiastic nature of the praise.

Held in high esteem

Indicates a general level of respect and admiration.

Had a high opinion of

Focuses on the internal belief rather than the expression.

Gave a glowing review

Focuses on a formal assessment or critique.

Expressed strong approval

Highlights the aspect of agreement and support.

Highly commended

More formal, suitable for official contexts.

Sang the praises of

A more figurative and enthusiastic expression.

FAQs

How can I use "spoke very highly" in a sentence?

You can use "spoke very highly" to express someone's positive opinion of someone or something. For example, "The professor "spoke very highly" of her student's research."

What are some alternatives to "spoke very highly"?

Alternatives include "praised enthusiastically", "highly commended", or "spoke favorably of", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "speak very highly" instead of "spoke very highly"?

While "speak very highly" is grammatically correct, it refers to the present tense. "Spoke very highly" is used for past events. Ensure you use the correct tense to match the time frame you're describing.

What's the difference between "spoke highly of" and "spoke very highly of"?

"Spoke highly of" indicates a positive opinion, while "spoke very highly of" implies a stronger, more enthusiastic endorsement. The addition of "very" emphasizes the intensity of the praise.