accentuates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accentuates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize or highlight a particular aspect or quality of something. Example: "The bright colors of the painting accentuate its vibrant energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added: "The current electoral system accentuates differences – divides – so it looks like everyone in Scotland has voted SNP, yet only half actually have".

The Guardian

The current system accentuates differences.

The Guardian

Come to think of it, here is an even easier way to remember it: David Cameron was the Prime Minister who introduced the bedroom tax, I'll be the Prime Minister who repeals the bedroom tax.The argument accentuates the prime minister's weaknesses: polling shows that the public thinks Mr Cameron an out-of-touch toff.

The Economist

Extremists from the Niger Delta recently blew up more than a dozen people by car bomb in the capital.But zoning does not unite Nigeria: it accentuates the rift between north and south.

The Economist

Moreover, when wages fail to keep pace with inflation, workers across the income scale are pulled into lower tax brackets a phenomenon dubbed "reverse fiscal drag .All this accentuates a long-running trend: the Treasury's increasing reliance on high-flyers.

The Economist

The election campaign accentuates the negative and sharpens this binary illusion.

The Economist

The scaffolding that now covers it only accentuates its gloomy aspect.

The Economist

He was wearing his unvarying casual uniform of dark polo shirt and dark trousers, an outfit that always accentuates his few excess pounds and which makes him look the epitome of the slightly unfashionable Englishman on holiday (which I suspect is the point).

The Economist

They return home convinced that they are routinely overcharged in their own country.The current strength of the pound clearly accentuates this impression.

The Economist

MAKE-UP accentuates their long thin faces and fine features pale foundation, charcoal lipstick and eyeliner as the young men grimace to display the bright whites of their teeth and eyes to attract the girls.

The Economist

The internet accentuates this: a ticket that costs only a few dollars more may not show up on the first page of an online search.Airlines have little financial incentive to take into account the cost to passengers of, say, delays.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accentuates" when you want to subtly draw attention to a specific detail or quality that enhances the overall impression. It works well in descriptions where you want to add nuance without being overly forceful.

Common error

Avoid using "accentuates" in sentences where a simpler verb like 'shows' or 'reveals' would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "accentuates" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object and indicates the act of emphasizing or highlighting something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English, reinforcing its function in conveying emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accentuates" is a grammatically sound and frequently used transitive verb, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to emphasize or highlight a particular aspect or quality. It often appears in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias, where precise and nuanced language is valued. When writing, consider using "accentuates" to subtly draw attention to details, but avoid overuse in simplistic descriptions. Alternatives like "emphasizes" or "highlights" can provide different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasizes

Focuses more on the importance of the highlighted aspect.

highlights

Suggests bringing something to the forefront for attention.

underlines

Implies drawing attention to a foundational or crucial element.

stresses

Conveys a sense of importance or urgency in the highlighting.

draws attention to

Indicates a deliberate effort to make something noticeable.

brings out

Suggests revealing a quality or feature that was previously less noticeable.

intensifies

Implies making something stronger or more pronounced.

amplifies

Suggests increasing the magnitude or impact of something.

foregrounds

Puts something in a prominent position, making it the main focus.

spotlights

Highlights something with a sense of drama or importance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "accentuates" in a sentence?

Use "accentuates" when you want to subtly highlight a specific detail or quality. For instance, "The lighting accentuates the texture of the fabric." This implies that the lighting enhances, rather than merely shows, the fabric's texture.

What are some alternatives to "accentuates"?

You can use alternatives like "emphasizes", "highlights", or "underlines" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "accentuates"?

Avoid using "accentuates" when a simpler word like "shows" or "reveals" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound forced or overly elaborate.

Is there a difference between "accentuates" and "emphasizes"?

"Accentuates" suggests a subtle enhancement, while "emphasizes" implies a stronger focus or importance. Choose the word that best fits the degree of attention you want to draw to the subject.