be underlined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be underlined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to emphasize a specific part of text by applying an underline format. Example: "Please ensure that the key terms in your report be underlined for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

should be underlined.

The New Yorker

Certain points must be underlined.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This has to be underlined.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Intrinsic differences between materials fatigue performances can be underlined.

Construction and Building Materials

This strategy will be underlined by the forthcoming vote.

The Guardian

The research question should be underlined, key points italicized, and big ideas in boldface type.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Anyway, at this panel, Akhil Amar made two excellent points that deserve to be underlined.

The New Yorker

Britain's limbo status will be underlined at an EU summit in Brussels on 15 December.

The Guardian

You figure out which lines of dialogue deserve to be underlined.

The Guardian - Film

That word — if — should be underlined and written in boldface type.

The New York Times - Sports

However, some limits should be underlined.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be underlined" in technical documents, ensure that the underlining style is consistent throughout the entire document. This maintains a professional and organized appearance.

Common error

Avoid using underlining excessively, as it can reduce readability. Reserve underlining for specific elements that genuinely require emphasis, such as key terms or hyperlinks, to maintain clarity and avoid visual clutter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be underlined" functions as a passive voice construction, typically used in instructional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that something should receive emphasis through underlining. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various fields, from academic research to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be underlined" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to instruct or suggest that a particular element should receive emphasis through underlining. Appearing frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, its register ranges from neutral to formal. Alternative phrases include "be emphasized" and "be highlighted", offering similar ways to convey emphasis. When using "be underlined", it's crucial to maintain consistent formatting and avoid overuse to ensure readability. It is important to not confuse it with alternative phrases like "being underlined", where the use of the gerund refers to a state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be underscored

Uses 'underscored', a direct synonym for 'underlined' but perhaps less common in everyday language.

should be emphasized

Replaces 'underlined' with 'emphasized', focusing on the act of giving importance rather than the specific formatting.

requires emphasis

Indicates that something needs to be emphasized.

must be highlighted

Uses 'highlighted' to suggest drawing attention to something, similar to underlining but more general.

needs to be stressed

Focuses on the act of stressing the importance of something, rather than the visual aspect of underlining.

ought to be noted

Suggests that something is important enough to be noticed or remembered, a more subtle form of emphasis.

calls for highlighting

Implies that something needs to be highlighted.

deserves highlighting

Shifts the focus to the worthiness of something to be highlighted.

warrants attention

Suggests that something is important and deserves to be paid attention.

is worth noting

Indicates that something is valuable and should be taken into consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "be underlined" in a sentence?

You can use "be underlined" to instruct someone to emphasize a part of a text, for example: "The key terms in the report should "be underlined" for clarity."

What's a good alternative to "be underlined"?

Alternatives include "be emphasized", "be highlighted", or "be underscored" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be underlined" or "being underlined"?

"Be underlined" is typically used in instructions or suggestions. "Being underlined" is used to describe a state, such as "The text is "being underlined" now".

What is the difference between "be underlined" and "be highlighted"?

"Be underlined" specifies a formatting style involving a line under the text, while "be highlighted" refers to making the text stand out, which can be achieved through various methods like background color or bolding.