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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Overemphasis
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "Overemphasis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the excessive importance or attention given to a particular idea, concept, or detail. Example: "The overemphasis on test scores can overshadow the importance of a well-rounded education."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
In addition, the overemphasis on the local man and woman underlines another important axiom about Irish elections: they are in fact 43 separate byelections, often fought on localised issues.
News & Media
Pointing to Mr Obama's no-show and the government shutdown, it concluded that his "much touted 'pivot' to Asia feels more like a pirouette with an overemphasis on military engagement".The Chinese press is happy to foster the impression of a power shift, taking the argument beyond South-East Asia.
News & Media
Although Locke was evidently a good student, he did not enjoy his schooling; in later life he attacked boarding schools for their overemphasis on corporal punishment and for the uncivil behaviour of pupils.
Encyclopedias
Meanwhile, one should retain, without overemphasis, the twin visions of cell death one in which death approaches the cell from the outside and the other in which death starts from within the living core of the cell itself.
Encyclopedias
The negative element, as formulated in the theology of the Areopagite, proved to be insufficient as a corrective to counter the overemphasis of reason, for reason seemed to imply the idea of necessity; Anselm's asserted "compelling grounds" for revealed truths, for example, were akin to such a necessitarianism.
Encyclopedias
1525 72; see Isserles, Moses ben Israel) was one of many Ashkenazi (German-rite) rabbis who severely criticized the Shulḥan ʿarukh for its overemphasis on the customs of Sephardic (Spanish-rite) Jews.
Encyclopedias
The Great Depression had devastating effects on sharecroppers, as did the South's continued overproduction and overemphasis on cotton production.
Encyclopedias
This is to be regretted, for it not only results in an overemphasis that destroys intellectual balance but it also has relegated to the background some of the more exciting aesthetic accomplishments of the Native American.
Encyclopedias
While the tendency to see in Napoleon a reincarnation of some 14th-century Italian condottiere is an overemphasis on one aspect of his character, he did, in fact, share neither the traditions nor the prejudices of his new country: remaining a Corsican in temperament, he was first and foremost, through both his education and his reading, a man of the 18th century.
Encyclopedias
Later some of the Sufis in India were brought closer to Hindu mysticism by an overemphasis on the idea of divine unity which became almost monism a religiophilosophic perspective according to which there is only one basic reality, and the distinction between God and the world (and humanity) tends to disappear.
Encyclopedias
Du Bois was one of a number of black intellectuals who feared that what they saw as the overemphasis on industrial training (as evidenced, for example, by the plan proposed by Booker T. Washington in the 1895 Atlanta Compromise) would confine blacks permanently to the ranks of second-class citizenship.
Encyclopedias
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "overemphasis", ensure it's clear what the appropriate level of emphasis should be. Providing a contrasting element can strengthen your argument.
Common error
Be specific about what is being overemphasized. Saying there's an "overemphasis" without specifying what it is weakens the statement.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "overemphasis" is that of a noun. It refers to the act of placing too much importance or stress on something. As Ludwig indicates, it is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
51%
Encyclopedias
25%
Science
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
6%
Social Media
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "overemphasis" is a grammatically sound noun used to indicate that something is being given too much importance. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. The analysis shows it's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using "overemphasis", ensure you specify what is being overemphasized for clarity. Consider related phrases like "undue emphasis" or "excessive focus" for nuanced expression.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
undue emphasis
Shifts the focus to 'undue', highlighting inappropriateness.
excessive focus
Replaces "emphasis" with "focus", emphasizing the concentration of attention.
disproportionate attention
Highlights the lack of proportion in the attention given.
exaggerated importance
Emphasizes that the importance assigned is beyond what is reasonable.
undeserved prominence
Indicates that the prominence is not justified.
overstated significance
Focuses on the exaggeration of the significance.
exorbitant stress
Highlights excessive stress or pressure on something.
undue weight
Emphasizes that something is given too much consideration.
lopsided focus
Implies an unbalanced or skewed focus.
unbalanced attention
Suggests that attention is not evenly distributed.
FAQs
How can I use "overemphasis" in a sentence?
You can use "overemphasis" to point out when something is given more importance than it deserves. For example, "There's an overemphasis on test scores in education".
What can I say instead of "overemphasis"?
You can use alternatives like "undue emphasis", "excessive focus", or "disproportionate attention" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "an overemphasis on" or "overemphasis of"?
"An overemphasis on" is more common and generally preferred. While "overemphasis of" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used.
What's the difference between "overemphasis" and "emphasis"?
"Emphasis" simply means giving importance to something. "Overemphasis" implies that too much importance is being given, potentially at the expense of other factors.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested