heighten sensitivity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heighten sensitivity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of increasing awareness or responsiveness to certain stimuli or issues. Example: "The training program aims to heighten sensitivity to cultural differences among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's a trick to heighten sensitivity.

The Guardian - Books

Mayor Vincent C. Gray today said the District's public-safety officials are responding to the bombings at today's Boston Marathon by following established protocols designed to heighten sensitivity to potential risks in the wake of apparent terrorist attacks in other parts of the country.

Huffington Post

The second was that perirhinal cortex lesions heighten sensitivity to visual interference.

Behavioral Neuroscience

Exceptions are inherited diseases that heighten sensitivity to a causal agent, such as the early appearance of actinic keratoses in children with Xeroderma Pigmentosum.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Interventions that can heighten sensitivity to recognition of abuse, through a lowering of risk threshold could be expected to lead to a more appropriate, heightened action response.

BMC Medical Education

More than 150 mutations in one type of ryanodine receptor (Ry1R1) have been well documented to heighten sensitivity to chemicals called halogenated alkanes, which are used as general anesthetics.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The American reconnaissance plane that was forced to land in Hainan flew from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, a fact that will heighten sensitivities there about being on the front line.

The New York Times

This paper reports data supporting the hypothesis that increases in progesterone during the luteal phase underlie heightened levels of social monitoring that is, heightened sensitivity to social cues indicating the presence of social opportunity or threat.

Evolution and Human Behavior

These differences might be related to heightened attentional processing [ 31], addiction memory involvement, and heightened sensitivity for drug-cues [ 19].

BMC Psychiatry

While 84 90% of children with WBS exhibit heightened sensitivity to sounds, they are not known to be overly sensitive to pain, but this has not been systematically evaluated.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Right now, British travellers have heightened sensitivity to risk.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "heighten sensitivity", specify the area or issue to which sensitivity should be increased. For instance, "heighten sensitivity to cultural nuances" provides clearer context than simply "heighten sensitivity".

Common error

Avoid using "heighten sensitivity" without a clear object. Saying "we need to heighten sensitivity" lacks impact. Instead, specify what you want people to be more sensitive to, such as "heighten sensitivity to environmental concerns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heighten sensitivity" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "heighten" acts as a transitive verb modifying the noun "sensitivity". It suggests an action taken to increase or intensify sensitivity. The Ludwig examples provide several instances of this usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heighten sensitivity" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the idea of increasing awareness or responsiveness. It is considered uncommon, predominantly appearing in science and news media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify the area to which sensitivity should be heightened. While "heighten sensitivity" is versatile, alternatives like "increase awareness" or "sharpen perception" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase awareness

This alternative replaces "heighten sensitivity" with a more general term for increasing perception.

enhance awareness

This option uses a different verb to convey improving awareness.

sharpen perception

It focuses on improving how something is perceived rather than general sensitivity.

amplify responsiveness

This phrase is more emphatic, suggesting a stronger reaction.

cultivate sensibility

It implies a more careful and sustained development of sensitivity.

boost perceptiveness

This focuses on enhancing one's ability to notice and understand things.

sensitize to

A more direct way of expressing the idea of making someone more sensitive to something.

develop consciousness

Implies creating a greater sense of awareness and understanding.

foster receptiveness

Suggests creating an environment conducive to receiving and processing information.

raise consciousness

This alternative stresses the action of making something more prominent in awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "heighten sensitivity" in a sentence?

You can use "heighten sensitivity" to describe efforts to increase awareness or responsiveness. For example, "The workshop aims to "heighten sensitivity" to issues of diversity and inclusion".

What are some alternatives to "heighten sensitivity"?

Alternatives include "increase awareness", "enhance awareness", and "sharpen perception". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "increase sensitivity" or "heighten sensitivity"?

Both "increase sensitivity" and "heighten sensitivity" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Heighten" might suggest a more pronounced or deliberate effort to raise awareness.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "heighten sensitivity"?

"Heighten sensitivity" is suitable in various contexts where increased awareness or responsiveness is desired, such as social issues, cultural awareness, or sensory experiences. It fits well in both academic and professional discussions.