think highly of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think highly of him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a positive opinion or admiration for someone. Example: "She always speaks about her mentor with great respect, as she truly thinks highly of him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Did his contemporaries think highly of him?

Independent

Some people obviously like him and think highly of him.

The New York Times

James Woolsey, the former head of the C.I.A., said of Hamza, "I think highly of him and I have no reason to disbelieve the claims that he's made".

The New Yorker

"I think highly of him, and so do many others, but that did not give him a pass when it came to getting this job.

The New York Times

I've known the CEO, Elliot Noss, for many years, and think highly of him and the way he runs his businesses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chelís already seems to have rubbed off on his players, and they seem to genuinely think highly of him, but it is unclear if the team can realistically compete.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In any case, de Trobriand thought highly of him.

The New York Times

All who knew Jeff respected and thought highly of him.

The New York Times

Barcelona thought highly of him, but lent him to Fenerbache of Istanbul, then to Tenerife.

The New York Times - Sports

Here he has a good rapport with his co-workers and O'Hearn thinks highly of him.

The New Yorker

We thought highly of him and we knew San Diego was interested.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "think highly of him" to convey genuine respect and admiration. Avoid using it sarcastically or insincerely.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "think highly of him" excessively in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler expressions like "I really like him" or "I respect him" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think highly of him" functions as a verb phrase expressing a subjective positive evaluation. It is used to convey that someone holds a person in esteem, respects them, or has a favorable opinion of them. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think highly of him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey respect and admiration. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is well-regarded and suitable for various contexts. While it appears frequently in news and media, it is also appropriate for formal and informal settings. Consider alternatives like "respect him greatly" or "hold him in high regard" for more formal situations. Avoid overuse in very casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think very well of him

Similar in meaning but slightly less intense.

hold him in high regard

A more formal way of expressing respect and esteem.

have a great deal of respect for him

Emphasizes the amount of respect felt.

respect him greatly

Implies a strong feeling of admiration and deference.

hold him in esteem

Similar to "hold him in high regard" but slightly more formal.

admire him a lot

Focuses on positive feelings and appreciation.

rate him highly

Indicates a high assessment of his abilities or character.

esteem him

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for respect.

look up to him

Suggests admiration and considering him a role model.

value his opinion

Highlights the importance of his thoughts and perspectives.

FAQs

What does it mean to "think highly of him"?

To "think highly of him" means to have a positive opinion of someone, often implying respect, admiration, or a belief in their competence or good character.

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

You can use "think highly of him" in a sentence like: "She always speaks about her mentor with great respect, as she truly thinks highly of him."

What can I say instead of "think highly of him"?

You can use alternatives like "respect him greatly", "admire him a lot", or "hold him in high regard" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "think highly of him"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "think highly of him". It's a common and well-understood idiom in English.