be underscored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be underscored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be emphasized or highlighted, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The importance of teamwork should be underscored in our training sessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And what must be underscored is the position from which they spoke.

The New Yorker

That their marriage might encounter problems after the final curtain needn't be underscored.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Arzt's point appeared to be underscored by the anger directed at the authority on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The necessity of keeping stimulus measures in place will be underscored by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, among others.

Independent

This would seem to be underscored by this court's stubborn insistence on freedom of communication in a democratic society.

The New York Times

That seemed to be underscored by a questioner who suggested that the media tycoon was part of a system of corrupt insider deals.

The New York Times

They have suggested that Kmart is short of cash, which seemed to be underscored by yesterday's announcement of talks with lenders.

The New York Times

The Peyton Place sex is out, Spielberg sensibly realising that the underwater threat to virility shouldn't be underscored by any less convincing landlubbers' copulation.

The Guardian - Film

China's economic ascendancy will be underscored by Wen's visit to Longbridge for the launch of the MG6 Magnette car; Shanghai Automotive owns the MG Rover plant.

The Guardian

The tightness in the labor market is likely to be underscored by a decline in the unemployment rate to 4percentt, from 4.1percentt in February.

The New York Times

Still, the impetus for the activity will be underscored on Friday when the government releases figures for job losses and the unemployment rate for November.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be underscored", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being emphasized. Use it to draw attention to key points or significant details within your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be underscored" excessively in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "emphasize" or "highlight" are often more appropriate for a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be underscored" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is receiving emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to draw attention to a particular point, as demonstrated by the numerous examples where the necessity or importance of something is being highlighted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be underscored" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively emphasizes a point or highlights its significance. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across various domains, including news, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers. For a more conversational tone, consider simpler alternatives like "emphasize" or "highlight". Remember to clearly define what is being emphasized to ensure effective communication. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and appropriateness for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be emphasized

Focuses on giving prominence to something, similar to underscoring its importance.

be highlighted

Directs attention to something, making it stand out.

be stressed

Indicates that something should be given particular importance or emphasis.

be accentuated

Focuses on making something more noticeable or prominent.

be brought to the fore

Emphasizes the act of making something prominent or noticeable.

be given prominence

Highlights the act of giving something importance.

be brought into focus

Emphasizes making something clear and distinct.

be made clear

Focuses on ensuring something is easily understood.

be paid attention to

Highlights the need for something to receive focus and consideration.

be noted

Indicates that something should be acknowledged or taken into account.

FAQs

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

Use "be underscored" to emphasize a point or highlight its importance. For example: "The importance of teamwork should "be underscored" in our training sessions."

What are some alternatives to "be underscored"?

You can use alternatives like "be emphasized", "be highlighted", or "be stressed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be emphasized" or "be underscored"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "be underscored" often carries a slightly more formal tone. Choose the phrase that best fits the overall style and context of your writing. "Be emphasized" might be more suitable for general use, while "be underscored" can add a touch of formality.

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

"Underscore" suggests a more profound level of emphasis. While "highlight" is to bring the attention, "underscore" is to emphasize its relevance.