cannot be underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be underestimated" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize the importance of something and suggest that it should not be overlooked or dismissed. For example, "The importance of a good night's sleep for productivity and health cannot be underestimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chance cannot be underestimated.

The New York Times

And it cannot be underestimated.

The New York Times

The urgency cannot be underestimated.

Yale University

"Her popularity cannot be underestimated".

The New York Times

Good campaigning cannot be underestimated.

The Guardian

The effects of this cannot be underestimated.

Independent

This, my friends, cannot be underestimated.

The New York Times

Ms. Mosley's contribution cannot be underestimated.

The New York Times

The importance of this cannot be underestimated.

The Guardian - Sport

But the cultural component cannot be underestimated.

The New York Times - Arts

That human element cannot be underestimated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be underestimated" when you want to strongly advocate for the importance of a factor or element that might otherwise be dismissed or undervalued.

Common error

While effective, "cannot be underestimated" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be underestimated" functions as an emphatic assertion of significance. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is used to highlight the crucial nature of a particular factor, element, or influence that is prone to being overlooked or dismissed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "cannot be underestimated" serves to strongly emphasize the importance or significance of something. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, media, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the intended level of formality, avoiding overuse to maintain impact. Consider alternatives such as "should not be discounted" or "is of great importance" for variety. Understanding its appropriate usage ensures effective communication and persuasive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not be discounted

Changes the verb and emphasizes that something's value or impact shouldn't be reduced.

must not be overlooked

Uses "must not" to convey a stronger sense of obligation or necessity regarding attention.

is of great importance

Replaces a negative construction with a direct positive statement of significance.

is highly significant

Similar to the previous, focusing on the high degree of importance.

cannot be ignored

Similar in tone, but conveys a sense that overlooking something would be a mistake.

warrants serious consideration

Shifts focus to the need for careful and thoughtful attention.

is not to be trivialized

Emphasizes that something should not be treated as unimportant.

is a crucial factor

Highlights something's essential role in a particular situation or outcome.

holds considerable weight

Suggests that something has a substantial influence or impact.

is fundamentally important

Underlines the basic or foundational relevance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be underestimated" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be underestimated" to emphasize the importance of something. For instance, "The impact of early education on a child's development "cannot be underestimated"".

What's a more formal way to say "cannot be underestimated"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "should not be discounted", "is of great importance", or "warrants serious consideration".

What can I say instead of "cannot be underestimated" to sound less repetitive?

To avoid repetition, try alternatives such as "must not be overlooked", "is highly significant", or "cannot be ignored".

Is there a difference in meaning between "cannot be underestimated" and "cannot be overstated"?

While similar, "cannot be underestimated" suggests something's importance is being undervalued, whereas "cannot be overstated" implies its importance is difficult to exaggerate or express fully.