could you underline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could you underline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a polite request for someone to emphasize or highlight a specific part of a text by underlining it. Example: "Could you underline the key points in this document for clarity?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, you could underline important passages, circle confusing ones, and star inconsistencies.

WikiHow

Wins for Mrs. Clinton in West Virginia and Kentucky "could further underline Obama's lackluster support in Appalachia, a region that is ground zero for the sort of populist Reagan Democrats both parties will covet in the fall," writes David Mark of Politico.

The New York Times

By taking the case that was meant to bring Alec Hardy redemption and turning into the case that could further underline his errors of judgement – even if in both events the fault lies with one of his colleagues – writer Chris Chibnall is creating the detective's worst nightmare.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Screenings of the film in schools, she suggested, could help underline for a younger generation "that sometimes it takes one person to make the biggest difference in the world".Her companion, Grzegorz Kujawski, 30, said he had wanted to see the movie to understand how his parents had lived in the 1980s.

The New York Times - Arts

"Indeed, the art of smoking had become glamorised by the great film stars of the 1920s and '30s, and a well-directed cigarette holder could help underline many a dramatic statement.

BBC

In fact, in those cases, descriptive statistics could not underline a central tendency.

BioMed Research International

Although DUX4 and FRG1 seem to be the main candidate genes, the heterogeneity of disease manifestations could probably underline a heterogeneity of gene expression due to different epigenetic alterations of in cis candidate genes.

Genomics

Blockade of K+ could also underline a variety of effects mediated by cocaine, including increased Ca2+ influx at the presynaptic terminal, which can augment neurotransmitter and hormone release and can contribute to neurodegenerative processes.

BioMed Research International

Nevertheless, present findings might indicate that TNBC could greatly depend on leptin's actions, which could underline the role of NILCO in this breast cancer type.

BMC Cancer

But they could underline what Copernicus's theory provided that others could not: a singular method for ordering the planets and for calculating the relative distances of the planets from the Sun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It could underline the earthiness in a truffled soup.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "could you underline" something, be specific about what needs to be underlined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While polite, "could you underline" might sound too informal in academic papers or business reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "Please underscore" or "It would be helpful to highlight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you underline" functions as a polite request. It is used to ask someone to emphasize a specific part of a text by drawing a line underneath it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could you underline" is a grammatically correct phrase used as a polite request to emphasize text. Ludwig AI validates its usability. While versatile, it may be more suitable for general contexts than formal academic or professional writing. Alternatives such as "please highlight" or "emphasize this part" offer more formal options. Remembering to be specific about what you want underlined and choosing the right level of formality will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would you mind underlining

Offers a slightly more polite alternative using "would you mind".

Please underscore this

Uses "underscore", a synonym for "underline", adding a touch of formality.

Would it be possible to underline

Expresses a more formal request.

Would you please highlight

Uses "highlight" instead of "underline" for emphasis.

Is it possible to underline

Changes the phrasing to inquire about the possibility of underlining.

Kindly highlight

Replaces "underline" with "highlight" and uses "kindly" to convey politeness.

Could you mark this

Uses a more general term "mark" instead of specific "underline".

Can you emphasize this part

Shifts focus to "emphasize" as a broader concept.

Can you draw attention to

Shifts focus to drawing attention rather than specifically underlining.

Please give emphasis to

Uses a more formal and general way to emphasize

FAQs

How to use "could you underline" in a sentence?

Use "could you underline" to politely ask someone to emphasize a specific part of the text by drawing a line under it. For example, "Could you underline the key points in this document for clarity?"

What can I say instead of "could you underline"?

Alternatives include "would you please highlight", "can you emphasize this part", or "please underscore this".

Is "could you underline" too informal for professional communication?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it would be helpful to highlight" or "please emphasize" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "could you underline" and "could you highlight"?

"Could you underline" specifically refers to drawing a line under the text, while "could you highlight" implies marking the text with color to emphasize it. The choice depends on the desired method of emphasis.