emphasise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emphasise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to highlight or give special importance to a particular point or idea. Example: "In her presentation, she chose to emphasise the importance of teamwork in achieving success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before adjourning for sentencing, Judge Timothy Pontius said: "I emphasise very firmly that the fact I'm releasing you on bail should not serve as any sort of indication of what the sentence will be".

The Guardian

But it's not just the outrageous threats, misogynistic abuse and so on that emphasise the importance of the movement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The findings will raise the morale of Labour activists and strengthen those Tory voices calling for the party, which launches its manifesto next Tuesday, to emphasise the positive reasons to give Cameron a second term.

The Guardian

In an attempt, during his conference speech, to emphasise the importance of long-term planning David Cameron relayed a nice anecdote about a "great hall in Oxford".

The Guardian

Jaruzelski preferred to emphasise his reformist credentials, claiming he had been the first Warsaw Pact leader to recognise the significance of Mikhail Gorbachev's ideas.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, in her first speech in Brussels as first minister, Sturgeon will emphasise the difference between the Scottish and UK governments' stances on Europe, as the UK prime minister, David Cameron, moves forward with his planned referendum on EU membership.

The Guardian

He prefers to emphasise the fact that internet bandwidth in Iran has significantly improved after a five-year gap, increasing by about four times.

The Guardian - Tech

Enthusiasts like to emphasise hunting's classlessness, and, while this may be overegged, the pursuit is certainly not the Wodehousian caricature portrayed by some antis.

The Guardian

One of Murphy's key announcements this week was his intention to re-draft that item in the party's constitution, to emphasise that it will act "in the national interest of Scotland", giving the Scottish and UK bodies distinctively different wordings for the first time.

The Guardian

Now, I should emphasise that I am not one of those killjoys who believe that ministers and public officials working on confidential documents should be expected to slum it.

The Guardian

You'd think a government that was concerned about getting people into work and boosting productivity would emphasise training programs and skills development, but you'd be wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "emphasise", ensure it aligns with the intended tone and register of your writing, adjusting for formality or informality as needed.

Common error

Avoid using "emphasise" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying 'It should be emphasised that...', opt for a more direct and active voice like 'We should emphasise that...' for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "emphasise" is as a transitive verb. It requires an object to complete its meaning, indicating what is being given importance or highlighted. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in conveying significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "emphasise" is a versatile transitive verb primarily used to highlight or stress the importance of something. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and very common in various writing contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains. While alternatives like ""stress"", ""highlight"", and ""underscore"" exist, "emphasise" maintains a neutral to formal tone. Remember to use it actively and avoid overly passive constructions. This comprehensive analysis provides a solid understanding of "emphasise" and its effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stress

Shorter, more direct way to convey importance.

highlight

Focuses on bringing attention to something.

underscore

Suggests reinforcing or confirming something.

accentuate

Implies making something more noticeable or prominent.

underline

Similar to underscore, indicating importance.

draw attention to

More descriptive, indicating where focus should be directed.

give prominence to

Suggests elevating the importance of something.

lay stress on

Emphasizes the act of applying importance.

place emphasis on

Alternative phrasing, similar in meaning.

call attention to

Directs focus to a specific element.

FAQs

How can I use "emphasise" in a sentence?

Use "emphasise" to highlight or give importance to a particular point. For example, "The speaker chose to "emphasise" the need for collaboration".

What are some alternatives to the word "emphasise"?

You can use alternatives such as "highlight", "stress", or "underscore" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "emphasise" or "emphasize"?

"Emphasise" is the British English spelling, while "emphasize" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but use the one appropriate for your audience and context.

What's the difference between "emphasise" and "stress"?

While both words indicate importance, ""stress"" often implies a greater degree of force or urgency compared to ""emphasise"".