emphasis on appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emphasis on appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance or focus placed on how something looks, often in contexts related to fashion, design, or social perceptions. Example: "In today's society, there is often an emphasis on appearance, leading many to prioritize looks over substance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

And the emphasis on appearance, vanity.

Harvard Business Review

Both place excessive emphasis on appearance and body size.

The New York Times

Since the company's inception, it has placed an emphasis on appearance.

The New Yorker

Q. Do you think our culture's strong emphasis on appearance is causing body dysmorphic disorder rates to increase? A. Appearance has always been important.

The New York Times - Health

"With today's emphasis on appearance, it is more important than ever that schools have a way of confronting staring, comments, questions, ostracism and bullying," she says.

The Guardian

"Bollywood has become like Hollywood, in terms of its emphasis on appearance, and as a fashion brand, it's important to align ourselves with this change".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In Beverly Hills, the OMA architects were working with a relatively free-spending private client and (this being a fashion store) an emphasis on appearances.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even though I tried to resist, her emphasis on appearances and youth became second nature to me.

Huffington Post

Being a practicing Muslim man, who has experienced Muslim life in the United States, London, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Pakistan, I'm often driven to despair by the emphasis on outward appearance as opposed to one's manners, morals and ethics.

Huffington Post

Why inculcate an emphasis on outward appearance in the under-5 set?

The New York Times

Alfred A. Knopf, who favored purple shirts and green ties, put as much emphasis on the appearance of a book as on its contents.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of media on body image, use "emphasis on appearance" to highlight societal pressures.

Common error

Avoid using "emphasis on appearance" when you mean to criticize superficiality. While related, the phrase itself isn't inherently negative; context determines the connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "emphasis on appearance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the degree of importance or attention given to how something or someone looks. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "emphasis on appearance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that highlights the importance placed on the visual aspects of something or someone. Ludwig confirms its usability across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and business domains. While typically neutral, its connotation depends on the context, and it's crucial to distinguish it from pure superficiality. Alternatives such as "focus on looks" or "importance of physical presentation" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. Understanding its nuanced applications and avoiding misinterpretations enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus on looks

Replaces "emphasis" with "focus", simplifying the expression while retaining the core meaning.

importance of physical presentation

Substitutes "emphasis" with "importance" and "appearance" with a more formal "physical presentation", increasing the formality.

stress on visual appeal

Uses "stress" instead of "emphasis" and "visual appeal" to replace "appearance", altering the tone slightly.

accentuation of aesthetics

Replaces common words with more sophisticated vocabulary.

concern with outward form

Changes "emphasis" to "concern" and "appearance" to "outward form", shifting the perspective to worry or preoccupation.

value placed on image

Shifts the focus to the act of valuing and the concept of "image" rather than mere appearance.

attention to external features

Replaces "appearance" with a more descriptive term, highlighting specific aspects of physical presentation.

priority given to visual aspects

Emphasizes that appearance is being prioritized over other considerations.

spotlight on presentation

Uses a metaphorical term to describe the concept of bringing specific attention to presentation.

obsession with outward beauty

Indicates an excessive preoccupation with looks, adding a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "emphasis on appearance" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "importance of physical presentation" or "accentuation of aesthetics" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "emphasis on appearance" always negative?

No, the connotation depends on the context. It can be used neutrally to describe a focus on looks, or negatively to critique superficiality. For instance, highlighting an "emphasis on appearance" in the fashion industry is neutral, while criticizing a culture's "emphasis on appearance" over substance is negative.

What is the difference between "focus on looks" and "emphasis on appearance"?

While similar, "focus on looks" is generally more informal. "Emphasis on appearance" can be used in a broader range of contexts and suggests a more structured or deliberate focus.

In what context is the phrase "emphasis on appearance" most appropriate?

It's suitable in contexts where the way something or someone looks is given significant importance. This includes discussions about fashion, media influence, social standards, and personal grooming.