the highest regarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the highest regarded" is not correct in standard English; it should be "the highest regard" or "the most highly regarded." You can use it when discussing someone's reputation or esteem in a particular context, but it needs to be rephrased for correctness.
Example: "She is one of the most highly regarded experts in her field."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In March, a poll by Clarus Research Group found that Lanier was the highest regarded local official in D.C., enjoying an 84percentt positive rating.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I have the highest regard for Elizabeth.

The New York Times

It is Fox who Florence holds in the highest regard.

The Guardian - Sport

"I have only the highest regard for Bill Kenwright," he said.

The New York Times

"I have the highest regard for British intelligence," he said.

The Guardian

We have nothing but the highest regard for him.

The New York Times

"I have the highest regard for Ken Gormley," he said.

The New York Times

I continue to hold him in the highest regard".

The New York Times

Journalists, sometimes rightly, are not held in the highest regard by the general public.

The Guardian

"I have the highest regard for the job they are doing," Mr. Gromack said.

The New York Times

The 43-year-old Kelly is held in the highest regard at New Hampshire.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "the highest regarded" appears in some publications, it's better to use standard alternatives like "the most respected" or "held in the highest regard" for clarity and grammatical correctness. This improves your writing's perceived professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "regarded" passively when a more direct phrasing is available. Instead of "the highest regarded", actively state who holds the regard, such as "held in the highest regard by..." This makes your sentences more precise and authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the highest regarded" functions as a descriptive modifier, attempting to denote a superlative level of esteem. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often used to describe someone's reputation or status within a specific context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the highest regarded" appears in various news outlets, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Standard alternatives like "the most respected" or "held in the highest regard" are recommended for clarity and professionalism. It's best to reserve "the highest regarded" for informal contexts or rephrase it to ensure grammatical accuracy and enhance your writing's credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most esteemed

Replaces "highest regarded" with a more formal and grammatically standard term for high respect.

the most respected

Uses "respected" instead of "regarded", implying admiration and high opinion.

held in the highest esteem

Emphasizes the act of holding someone in high regard, changing the phrase structure.

held in the highest respect

Similar to "held in the highest esteem", but uses "respect" for a slightly different nuance.

highly thought of

Implies a positive opinion and good reputation, changing the verb and structure.

the best reputation

Focuses on the overall positive reputation rather than the act of regarding.

the most valued

Indicates high value and importance, shifting the focus from regard to worth.

considered the best

Implies a general consensus of being the best, changing the focus slightly.

top of the line

An informal term to describe quality and high regard.

blue chip

Another term to describe the highest level of quality and importance.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "the highest regarded"?

Instead of "the highest regarded", consider using phrases like "the most respected", "held in the highest regard", or "the most esteemed".

In what contexts might I use "the highest regarded", and when should I avoid it?

While you might find "the highest regarded" in informal writing, it is recommended to use more standard phrases such as "the most respected" or "held in the highest regard" in formal or academic contexts.

Is "the highest regarded" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "the highest regarded" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. Better options include "the most highly regarded" or rephrasing to "held in the highest regard".

What's the difference between "the highest regarded" and "the most highly regarded"?

"The most highly regarded" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted form. "The highest regarded" is less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers. Using "the most highly regarded" ensures clarity and correctness.