highly

highly — 副詞

1. used before particular adjectives to mean that something has a quality to a very

1.副詞B1
釋義

非常

用於形容詞前，表示程度很高

used before particular adjectives to mean that something has a quality to a very great extent, such as being likely, successful, or effective

例句

The sushi at that small restaurant is highly recommended by food critics.

那家小餐館的壽司受到美食評論家的高度推薦。

highly + past participle (recommended)

It is highly unlikely that Noor will finish the report before Friday.

Noor 非常不可能在星期五前完成報告。

highly + adjective (unlikely)

同義詞
  • extremely

    stronger emphasis, works with more adjectives than 'highly'

  • very

    the general-purpose intensifier, less formal than 'highly'

  • greatly

    often used with past participles like 'affected' or 'improved'

  • exceptionally

    suggests something is unusual even among high-quality examples

反義詞
  • slightly

    opposite end of the intensity scale

  • barely

    suggests the quality is present only at a minimum level

文法句型

highly + adjective

highly + past participle

用法筆記

Only certain adjectives and past participles combine naturally with 'highly'. Common pairings include 'likely', 'unlikely', 'successful', 'effective', 'recommended', 'skilled', and 'controversial'. For general intensification of most adjectives, use 'very' instead.

常見錯誤

❌I am highly tired after work.
✅I am very tired after work.
💡'highly' is not used before most ordinary adjectives such as 'tired', 'hot', or 'big'; use 'very' instead.
❌The movie was highly good.
✅The movie was very good.
💡'highly' cannot replace 'very' before short common adjectives like 'good', 'bad', or 'nice'.

2. expressing strong admiration or approval toward someone or something when you ta

2.副詞B1
釋義

推崇

表達對某人或某事的敬佩與讚賞

expressing strong admiration or approval toward someone or something when you talk about them or have an opinion of them

例句

All of her former students speak highly of Professor Chen's teaching style.

她所有的前學生都高度推崇陳教授的教學風格。

speak highly of [someone]

The local newspaper thinks highly of the new community garden project.

當地報紙高度評價新的社區花園計畫。

think highly of [something]

同義詞
  • favorably

    more formal, common in written evaluations and reports

  • admiringly

    focuses on the feeling of admiration rather than approval

  • respectfully

    emphasizes politeness and deference, not necessarily admiration

反義詞
  • unfavorably

    the direct opposite in evaluation contexts

  • critically

    suggests pointing out faults rather than expressing approval

文法句型

speak highly of [someone/something]

think highly of [someone/something]

be highly praised

be highly regarded

用法筆記

Typically paired with verbs of evaluation: 'speak', 'think', 'regard', or 'praise'. The person or thing being admired is the object of the preposition 'of' after 'speak' and 'think'. The passive form ('be highly regarded', 'be highly praised') is common in formal and academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌I highly of my teacher.
✅I think highly of my teacher.
💡'highly' alone cannot replace the verb; the pattern requires 'speak/think + highly + of'.
❌She spoke him highly.
✅She spoke highly of him.
💡the person admired must follow 'of', not come directly after the verb.

3. in a position of high status, authority, or influence within an organization or

3.副詞B2
釋義

高層

指在組織或社會中地位重要、具有影響力

in a position of high status, authority, or influence within an organization or society

例句

The diplomatic event was only for highly placed officials from each country.

這場外交活動僅限於來自各國的高層官員參加。

highly + past participle (placed)

Sora comes from a highly connected family in the fashion industry.

Sora 出身於時尚產業一個人脈很廣的家庭。

highly + past participle (connected)

同義詞
  • influentially

    focuses on the ability to affect decisions rather than formal rank

  • prominently

    suggests being well-known or widely visible

  • powerfully

    emphasizes the ability to control or direct outcomes

反義詞

文法句型

highly + past participle (placed / ranked / positioned / connected)

用法筆記

Frequently appears in news and business writing. The adjectives and past participles used with this sense — 'placed', 'ranked', 'positioned', 'connected', 'influential' — all relate to social or professional hierarchy rather than personal qualities.

常見錯誤

❌He is a highly person in the company.
✅He is a highly placed person in the company.
💡'highly' alone does not function as an adjective; it must modify another word like 'placed' or 'ranked'.