was highly praised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was highly praised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that received a lot of positive feedback or commendation in the past. Example: "The novel was highly praised by critics for its innovative storytelling and deep character development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jackson's decorating scheme was highly praised.

The New York Times - Books

Her production of Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms at Lamda was highly praised.

The Guardian

Mr. Shedd was highly praised on Friday by a number of former intelligence officials.

The New York Times

It was highly praised both by Sir Joshua Reynolds and by Copley's countryman Benjamin West.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was highly praised for her portrayal of an idealistic drama teacher in Hunky Dory.

Independent

Beth Fowler's translation was highly praised by one of the best translators currently working from Spanish, Margaret Jull Costa.

The Guardian - Books

The fly genome had many small gaps, but was highly praised by biologists who study the fly.

The New York Times

His work with student orchestras at the Boston Symphony's summer home, the Tanglewood Music Center, was highly praised.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wrote a history essay for his elder sister, typing with one finger on a word processor – and it was highly praised by her teacher.

The Guardian - Books

However, Barry was highly praised for his creation of Georges in the Jerry Herman musical La Cage aux Folles in 1983.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He soon became widely syndicated, and was highly praised for his acerbic wit (and, not surprisingly, highly denounced by some of the subjects of his wit).

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was highly praised", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the praising. For example, specify the critics, audience, or specific individuals who lauded the subject.

Common error

While "was highly praised" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to an active voice when possible, such as "critics highly praised" instead of "it was highly praised by critics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was highly praised" functions as a passive verb phrase. Ludwig examples show it's used to indicate that a subject received significant positive feedback or approval. It suggests the subject's qualities or actions were well-received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was highly praised" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to indicate significant positive reception or acclaim. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. While it appears most frequently in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse professional and informal communication scenarios. Remember to consider rephrasing to avoid overusing the passive voice and to always ensure the context clarifies who expressed the praise. Alternative phrases such as "was highly acclaimed" or "received considerable acclaim" can enhance your writing while conveying similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was highly acclaimed

Replaces "praised" with "acclaimed", implying widespread recognition and admiration.

was heavily praised

Substitutes "highly" with "heavily" to emphasize the extent of the praise.

was highly commended

Uses "commended" instead of "praised", suggesting formal recognition or approval.

was highly lauded

Replaces "praised" with "lauded", indicating enthusiastic and public praise.

was strongly praised

Emphasizes the intensity of the praise using "strongly" instead of "highly".

garnered high praise

Changes the structure to an active voice, indicating that something received a lot of praise.

received considerable acclaim

Uses "received" and "considerable acclaim" to convey the idea of substantial positive reception.

was met with high approval

Shifts the focus to the positive reception, using "approval" instead of "praise".

earned significant recognition

Highlights the recognition gained, implying the praise led to acknowledgment.

was greatly appreciated

Focuses on the appreciation received, suggesting the value was recognized and valued.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was highly praised"?

You can use alternatives like "was highly acclaimed", "received considerable acclaim", or "garnered high praise" depending on the context.

Is "was highly praised" formal or informal?

The phrase "was highly praised" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

How to use "was highly praised" in a sentence?

You can use "was highly praised" to describe anything that received significant positive feedback. For example: "The movie was highly praised for its innovative storytelling" or "Her performance was highly praised by the audience".

What's the difference between "was highly praised" and "was highly acclaimed"?

While both phrases indicate strong approval, "was highly praised" simply means that something received a lot of praise. "was highly acclaimed" suggests a more widespread and enthusiastic recognition.