think highly of

USAGE SUMMARY

'think highly of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have positive thoughts and opinions about someone or something. For example: I think highly of his work ethic and ambition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Did his contemporaries think highly of him?

Independent

I didn't think highly of it.

The New Yorker

I think highly of myself.

The New York Times

I think highly of them, very much so.

The Guardian - Sport

"But they also think highly of what Russia has accomplished".

The New York Times

It wasn't that he didn't think highly of Obama.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Lawrences think highly of Kwang-Wu Kim.

The New Yorker

But analysts do not think highly of the notion.

The New York Times

We want to think highly of our once-worshiped gods?

The New York Times - Arts

"I didn't think highly of them before the strike," he said of the union members, "and I don't think highly of them now".

The New York Times

"Even if you disagree with her … Ms Hunt clearly did not think highly of the claimant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "think highly of" to express genuine respect and admiration for someone's qualities or achievements. Be specific about what you admire to make your sentiment more impactful.

Common error

While "think highly of" is appropriate for formal settings, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "respect" or "admire" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think highly of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a positive opinion or assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in varied contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "think highly of" is a versatile phrase used to express a positive opinion, admiration, or respect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide range of contexts. It is especially prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it is particularly effective in professional and academic contexts for conveying considered judgments. To enhance your writing, remember to be specific about what you admire, and consider alternatives like "admire greatly" or "respect greatly" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think well of

A slightly less intense and more direct version of the original phrase.

have a high opinion of

Replaces "think" with "have" and "highly" with "high opinion", keeping the core meaning intact.

have great respect for

Expresses esteem through the more direct term of respect.

hold in high esteem

Replaces "think" with "hold" and uses the more formal "esteem" instead of "opinion".

respect greatly

Focuses on the aspect of respect within the original phrase's meaning.

admire deeply

Emphasizes admiration as the reason for thinking highly of someone.

regard favorably

Uses "regard" as a synonym for "think" and "favorably" to convey a positive assessment.

value greatly

Highlights the act of valuing someone or something.

appreciate sincerely

Focuses on appreciation as the underlying sentiment.

look up to

Implies admiration and respect, often for someone considered a role model.

FAQs

How can I use "think highly of" in a sentence?

You can use "think highly of" to express respect or admiration for someone or something. For example, "I "think highly of" her dedication to the project".

What are some alternatives to "think highly of"?

Alternatives include "admire greatly", "respect greatly", or "have a high opinion of", which all convey a similar sense of positive regard.

Is it more appropriate to say "think highly of" or "think well of"?

"Think highly of" and "think well of" are quite similar, but "think highly of" implies a greater degree of respect or admiration than "think well of".

When should I use "think highly of" in formal writing?

Use "think highly of" when you want to express a strong positive evaluation or respect in a professional or academic context. It adds a level of formality suitable for reports, essays, or presentations.