emphasis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emphasis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when highlighting or stressing a particular point or idea in a sentence or discussion. Example: "To ensure clarity, I want to place special emphasis on the importance of deadlines in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We need more emphasis on team and inter-team working and much greater involvement of frontline staff.

The Guardian

Now the Harlow MP's mandate will reach beyond policy to inform the way Tory candidates are selected, with an emphasis on diversity of class as much as ethnicity, and the way new supporters are signed up and engaged.

The Guardian - Opinion

These cost anything from $35 to $95 but, putting the emphasis on entrepreneurship, Kick Start are selling the pumps to farmers rather than giving them away.

The Guardian

For all his rhetoric about Munich 1938 and the need to avoid appeasement, Cameron's emphasis in the Ukraine is economic, not military, saying he has been "at the absolute front end of those arguing for broader sanctions".

The Guardian

They thought the emphasis on equality was itself a moral problem, hindering enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

A report by British Educational Research Association (Bera) and Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce shows that countries with the best performing and fastest improving education systems are putting a strong emphasis on university training for teachers.

The Guardian

This is why the extreme interpretation of Russia's emphasis on new federal arrangements, which is that they would facilitate Russian control of the east, is almost certainly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

– TheStevedore As a young person I feel more emphasis to vote due to the poor turnout by my age group.

The Guardian

However, it was also a failing on the part of its members, who cut its funding and have put insufficient emphasis on building sustainable health systems in developing countries," its report said.

The Guardian

The emphasis is still on early music and the choral and chamber repertoire, mostly performed in Gregynog Hall itself.

The Guardian - Music

This is perhaps why Wasswa and other recruiters barely even mention selling products and why the emphasis instead is very heavily on "growing your network".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "emphasis" to clearly signal the most important aspects of your message, ensuring the audience understands your priorities.

Common error

Avoid using "emphasis" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "stress", "highlight", or "importance" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "emphasis" is as a noun. It represents the special importance, value, or prominence given to something. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, showcasing its use in various contexts to highlight key aspects or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "emphasis" functions as a noun to denote the special importance given to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance your writing, remember to use "emphasis" to clearly highlight key aspects while avoiding overuse by incorporating synonyms like "stress", "importance", or "focus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stress

Similar to "emphasis", but often implies a forceful assertion or highlighting.

accentuation

Focuses on the act of making something more noticeable or prominent.

highlighting

Implies drawing attention to something, often visually or figuratively.

underscoring

Suggests reinforcing or emphasizing the importance of something.

importance

Directly refers to the significance or value placed on something.

prominence

Indicates the state of being noticeable or standing out.

focus

Highlights concentrating attention or effort on something specific.

weight

Denotes the level of importance or influence attributed to something.

attention

Refers to noticing or regarding something as interesting or important.

significance

Implies the quality of being worthy of attention or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "emphasis" in a sentence?

"Emphasis" is used to indicate special importance or attention given to something. For example, "The report places a strong "emphasis" on environmental sustainability".

What's a good alternative to the word "emphasis"?

Alternatives include "stress", "importance", "highlight", or "focus". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "emphasise" or "emphasize"?

"Emphasize" is the more common spelling in American English, while "emphasise" is preferred in British English. Both are correct, but consistency within your writing is key.

What is the difference between "emphasis" and "accent"?

"Emphasis" generally refers to the importance or special attention given to something, while "accent" often refers to a distinctive way of pronouncing a language or the stress given to a particular syllable in a word. While "accent" can denote prominence, "emphasis" has broader applications.