blunt emphasis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blunt emphasis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a straightforward or direct way of highlighting a point or idea without any subtlety. Example: "The speaker used blunt emphasis to make it clear that the issue at hand was of utmost importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The blunt emphasis on embellished trench coats and leather jackets caused some critics to complain of crass commerce - and obviously there needs to be a balance between commerce and creativity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such a blunt, uncompromising emphasis on team goals is key to Mr. Knowling's leadership style.

The New York Times

Translation: less emphasis on blunt force, more on precision and preparedness.

Forbes

Barker's methods can appear blunt, his language flowery, his emphasis on suffering de trop.

The New Yorker

A detailed study of the effect of 0° ply blocking is carried out, with particular emphasis on the blunting mechanisms and notched response.

Composite Structures

Admittedly, the play lays out its strands of conflict and ambiguity with a care and exaggerated emphasis that can feel far too blunt.

The New York Times

The rifle association shifted emphasis in 1999, beginning an effort to blunt lawsuits filed by cities against gun manufacturers.

The New York Times

Some of the experts said the judge's emphasis on traditional antitrust principles, like rules against intimidation by monopolies, could blunt Microsoft's public efforts to suggest that the Justice Department was overstepping the appropriate bounds of antitrust enforcement.

The New York Times

And the level of male dancing — emphasis on the male — reached some exhilarating peaks (at times unfortunately blunted by the very loud soundtrack, by the likes of Common, Yolanda Adams and DJ Sparkle).

The New York Times - Arts

The interaction between a type-I blunt crack and a near-tip void were modeled by the two-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics (2-D DDD), with special emphasis on the void growth, crack-tip deformation and their size effect.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

(Emphasis mine).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blunt emphasis" when you want to convey that something is being highlighted in a very direct and forceful manner, without any attempt to soften the message.

Common error

Avoid using "blunt emphasis" in situations that require subtlety or sensitivity. Its directness can be jarring or inappropriate in delicate discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blunt emphasis" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "blunt" modifies the noun "emphasis". It describes the nature or quality of the emphasis being applied. Ludwig examples show that it is used to describe a direct way of highlighting something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blunt emphasis" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a direct and forceful way of highlighting a point. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "blunt emphasis", consider its directness and ensure it fits the context, avoiding overuse in situations requiring nuance. Alternatives like "direct focus" or "strong stress" can provide similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct focus

Replaces "emphasis" with "focus", suggesting a more targeted attention.

pointed emphasis

Implies a specific and deliberate highlighting of something.

strong stress

Substitutes "emphasis" with "stress", indicating a greater level of importance.

sharp focus

Suggests a precise and distinct concentration of attention.

clear highlighting

Replaces "blunt" with "clear", focusing on the clarity of the emphasis.

unsubtle highlighting

Emphasizes the lack of subtlety in the way something is highlighted.

marked accentuation

Uses more formal terms to convey a pronounced highlighting.

pronounced importance

Shifts the focus to the significance being emphasized.

forceful assertion

Conveys a more aggressive or determined form of emphasis.

stark highlighting

Highlights a contrast, suggesting that something is highlighted in a severe or obvious way.

FAQs

How can I use "blunt emphasis" in a sentence?

You can use "blunt emphasis" to describe a direct and forceful highlighting of a point. For example, "The speaker used a "blunt emphasis" to underscore the urgency of the situation".

What are some alternatives to using "blunt emphasis"?

Alternatives include "direct focus", "strong stress", or "clear highlighting", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "blunt emphasis" formal or informal language?

"Blunt emphasis" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While not overly technical, its directness makes it suitable for professional and news contexts.

What's the difference between "blunt emphasis" and "subtle emphasis"?

"Blunt emphasis" indicates a very direct and forceful highlighting, while "subtle emphasis" suggests a more understated or indirect approach to drawing attention to something. They are near opposites.