Cool MateHighly vs Very
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Highly
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Very
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
| Highly | Very | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈveri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈveri/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very much or to a great degree. | used to emphasize something |
| Example | She is highly skilled in playing the violin. | This cake is very delicious! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | highly recommended, highly qualified, highly effective, highly important, highly regarded | very good, very bad, very happy, very important, very fast |
| Antonyms | low, slightly, mildly | not, slightly, somewhat |
| Common mistakes | Using 'high' instead of 'highly' (e.g., 'high recommended' instead of 'highly recommended'), Confusing with 'highly' as a noun rather than an adverb, Omitting topics when using 'highly' (e.g., 'highly, please' is incomplete) | Using 'very' with negative adjectives like 'bad' too much., Confusing with 'really' in casual conversation., Overusing 'very' can make writing less impactful. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize the degree of an adjective or adverb. Typically appropriate in both spoken and written language, but be cautious in informal settings where simpler terms might be preferred. | Used to increase the intensity of adjectives or adverbs. Best for neutral situations; avoid in formal writing where 'extremely' may be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Highly vs Very
What's the difference between Highly and Very?
Highly: Very much or to a great degree. Very: used to emphasize something
Which is more advanced: Highly and Very?
Highly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Highly and Very the same CEFR level?
Highly: B1, Very: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Highly and Very?
Highly: adverb, Very: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Highly: She is highly skilled in playing the violin. Very: This cake is very delicious!
Can I use Highly and Very interchangeably?
Not always. Highly and Very are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.