Underscore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Underscore" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize or highlight a particular point or idea in a sentence. Example: "I want to underscore the importance of teamwork in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His indecisive leadership style and lack of vision underscore the country's lack of direction, as it is losing competitiveness and foreign investment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These observations underscore the importance of considering more than the unemployment rate when evaluating the condition of the US labour market," she said.

The Guardian - Business

Cashman has seemed to underscore that in recent years by raising his public profile.

The New York Times - Sports

I can't underscore this enough for companies.

The Guardian

It's a moment meant to underscore Kyle's lifelong commitment to protect others, but the ultimate message is that anyone not in Special Forces is sloppy or uncommitted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having identified these regions, the hope is that future work can measure how the brain performs in situations such as share selection, gambling or deciding to participate in a pension scheme.David Laibson, an economist at Harvard University, thinks that such experiments underscore the big role that expectations play in a person's well-being.

The Economist

While these figures are now out of date by nearly four years, they underscore the magnitude of the gap between China and the developed world and how difficult it would be to close that gap even under the most excessive of Chinese wage inflation scenarios.

The Economist

He visited Oradour to underscore French unity and innocence even though the Vichy government had collaborated with France's occupiers and abetted the deportation of close on 80,000 French Jews.

The Economist

An architect vetting last-minute changes can call up blueprints into the Zanvas window and visibly underscore various components, while the client scrutinises the revisions from a personal computer located elsewhere on the Internet.

The Economist

The numbers underscore growing imbalances in savings and trade between them and the world's rich countries.

The Economist

As we shovel down chicken teriyaki and rice at a modest izakaya (an informal eatery, and one of Japan's culinary treasures), he relates three incidents that underscore the point.First, he learned that a notable author on Asian business would be coming to Tokyo.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underscore" when you want to subtly emphasize a point, rather than directly stating its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "underscore" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as simpler words like "emphasize" or "highlight" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underscore" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies emphasizing or highlighting a particular point or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can also function as a noun referring to an underline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Underscore" is a versatile term primarily used as a transitive verb to emphasize or highlight a point, though it can also function as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, media, and formal business settings, indicating a neutral to professional register. While synonyms like "emphasize" and "highlight" exist, "underscore" offers a more subtle way to draw attention to significance. Effective use involves integrating it into sentences where it naturally clarifies or reinforces an idea, avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Emphasize

A more common synonym, focusing on drawing attention to something.

Highlight

Similar to underscore, but implies making something stand out visually or figuratively.

Underline

The most literal synonym, referring to drawing a line beneath text.

Accentuate

Focuses on making something more noticeable or prominent.

Stress

Implies placing particular importance or pressure on something.

Draw attention to

A more descriptive phrase, indicating the act of making something noticeable.

Call attention to

Similar to 'draw attention to', but with a slightly more formal tone.

Bring to the forefront

Suggests moving something into a position of prominence.

Give prominence to

Indicates the act of making something stand out or be more important.

Reiterate

To repeat something for emphasis, reinforcing its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "underscore" in a sentence to emphasize a point?

You can use "underscore" to subtly emphasize a point by framing it as a consequence or result. For instance, "These findings underscore the need for further research."

What are some alternatives to "underscore" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives like "emphasize", "highlight", or "underline" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "underscore" as a noun?

Yes, "underscore" can be used as a noun, referring to a line drawn under text or a piece of background music. However, it's more commonly used as a verb.

What's the difference between "underscore" and "emphasize"?

"Underscore" often implies a more subtle or indirect form of emphasis, while "emphasize" suggests a more direct and forceful highlighting of importance.