we thought highly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we thought highly of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a positive opinion or admiration for someone or something. Example: "Throughout the years, we thought highly of her contributions to the team and valued her insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In Mexico, we think highly of Televisa, a media company that is in the middle of a restructuring.

Forbes

"In Iran we think highly of the sacrifice Bobby Sands made for his people.

Vice

Instrumental values are basically the kind of personal characteristics that we think highly of [ 7].

BMC Nursing

"If a vendor is included in the book, it means that they were recommended by people we respect who thought highly of them," Ms. Franklin said, diplomatically.

The New York Times

We know that Abbot Waltheof (Waldef) thought highly of him and granted him many responsibilities.

Wikipedia

Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought highly of the company.

Forbes

All who knew Jeff respected and thought highly of him.

The New York Times

In any case, de Trobriand thought highly of him.

The New York Times

Coleridge thought highly of her poems; she wrote admiringly of his.

The Guardian - Books

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

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when choosing this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "we held in high esteem" may be preferable in certain contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we thought highly of" when the opinion is only held by a single individual; in such cases, use "I thought highly of" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we thought highly of" functions as a subject-verb-adverbial modifier construction. The subject is 'we', the verb 'thought', and 'highly of' modifies the verb, indicating the manner of thinking. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase expresses a positive opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we thought highly of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey respect, admiration, or a positive evaluation. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability and widespread use. It is generally appropriate for neutral to professional contexts, with "'we held in high esteem'" serving as a more formal alternative. While versatile, ensure the context clearly defines 'we' and consider the audience to determine the most suitable expression. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we held in high esteem

Formal alternative emphasizing respect and admiration.

we had a high opinion of

Directly states a positive evaluation.

we regarded very well

Focuses on the positive way someone was viewed.

we respected greatly

Highlights the respect felt towards the subject.

we thought the world of

Emphasizes a deep affection and admiration.

we appreciated immensely

Focuses on the appreciation felt for the subject.

we valued greatly

Highlights the high value placed on someone or something.

we admired deeply

Emphasizes profound admiration.

we esteemed highly

Formal alternative indicating a high level of respect and admiration.

we thought very favorably of

States a positive and approving opinion.

FAQs

What does "we thought highly of" mean?

The phrase "we thought highly of" means that a group of people had a very positive opinion or a great deal of respect for someone or something.

How can I use "we thought highly of" in a sentence?

You can use "we thought highly of" to express admiration or respect. For example, "We thought highly of her work ethic and dedication to the team".

What can I say instead of "we thought highly of"?

You can use alternatives like "we held in high esteem", "we respected greatly", or "we had a high opinion of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we thought highly of" in formal writing?

Yes, it is generally appropriate, but in very formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "we held in high esteem" for added sophistication.