a big spotlight on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big spotlight on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is receiving a lot of attention or focus, often in a public context. Example: "The recent scandal has put a big spotlight on the company's ethical practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's so dark here, and the ice is so white — it's like there's a big spotlight on you".

The New York Times - Sports

His sensitivity was not concentrated on himself; it turned outward like a big spotlight on life, all 360 degrees of it.

The New York Times - Arts

"This tragedy has thrown a big spotlight on us," said Neels C. P. Swart, chairman of the Johannesburg World Trade Center.

The New York Times

"Anybody with access that nobody else has is going to have a big spotlight on them". Angelos's personal appearances in Annapolis have tailed off in recent years, though he employs several lobbyists to represent his varied interests.

The Washington Post

YouTube sports a custom logo for the occasion (as does Google Search), and is shining a big spotlight on the World Cup on its homepage, too.

TechCrunch

"There has been a big spotlight on women and issues like equal pay, and we have focused more on women in our diversity efforts, but not exclusively," Salesforce EVP of Global Employee Success Cindy Robbins said in a statement to TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"In the stretch run of the season, we're trying to shine a bigger spotlight on the guys who are racing for the championship," Hunter said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

"The IPO will shine a bigger spotlight on L.A. tech, and it will likely spin out more Snap execs as founders of new startups over time —  as well as likely inject more capital into angel funding of startups in L.A".

TechCrunch

"The fact that other shows with black casts are going away puts a bigger spotlight on us," said Ken Schwab, senior vice president of programming for TBS.

Los Angeles Times

He is one of the top-10 songwriters in pop music history and I just wanted to bring the spotlight to him personally". With "Pro-Ana," Roberts and Kane have already shined a very big spotlight on body dysmorphia.

Los Angeles Times

But in the finale on Thursday evening Franck had the spotlight to himself, and a big spotlight it was.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a big spotlight on" to draw attention to specific issues or subjects deserving significant focus, particularly in journalistic or analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a big spotlight on" in casual conversation; it often sounds overly dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "focus on" or "attention to" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big spotlight on" functions as an idiomatic expression, used to indicate that something is receiving significant attention or focus. This is evident in the examples Ludwig provides, where various situations are described as having "a big spotlight on" them.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

10%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big spotlight on" is a phrase used to emphasize that something is receiving considerable attention. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage in News & Media, sports and art contexts. While appropriate for general use, it might sound too informal in academic settings where phrases like "heightened emphasis on" could be more suitable. While the phrase is effective for highlighting subjects under scrutiny, consider the register of your writing to ensure you are delivering the message in a proper and effective tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notable focus on

Similar to "significant focus", but with a slight difference in intensity.

significant focus on

Replaces "spotlight" with "focus", indicating a concentration of attention.

considerable attention to

Substitutes "spotlight" with "attention", implying notice and observation.

special attention to

Emphasizes the particular care and focus given, replacing "spotlight" with a more general term.

heightened emphasis on

Uses "emphasis" instead of "spotlight", denoting stress or importance given to something.

increased scrutiny of

Replaces "spotlight" with "scrutiny", suggesting a careful and critical examination.

greater visibility for

Uses "visibility" instead of "spotlight", indicating increased public presence.

prominent display of

Substitutes "spotlight" with "display", referring to something being shown or presented prominently.

marked concentration on

Replaces "spotlight" with "concentration", highlighting a focused effort.

accentuated importance of

Uses "accentuated" to emphasize the importance, rather than shining a "spotlight".

FAQs

How can I use "a big spotlight on" in a sentence?

You can use "a big spotlight on" to emphasize the importance of something. For example, "The investigation put "a big spotlight on" the company's finances".

What's a less formal way to say "a big spotlight on"?

Less formal alternatives include "a major focus on", "significant attention to", or simply "focusing on" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a big spotlight on" in academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "a big spotlight on" might sound less formal than preferred for academic writing. Consider alternatives like "heightened emphasis on" or "increased scrutiny of" for a more scholarly tone.

Which is more appropriate: "a big spotlight on" or "a bigger spotlight on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a bigger spotlight on" implies a comparative increase in attention compared to a previous state, whereas "a big spotlight on" simply denotes significant current attention. The choice depends on the intended meaning.