highlight a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highlight a point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to draw attention to a specific idea or argument in a discussion or text. Example: "In her presentation, she took a moment to highlight a point that was crucial to understanding the overall message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I say them usually either to be amusing, in a parodic manner, or to highlight a point quite subtly.

Independent

I didn't fully believe it, and I was trying to highlight a point with absurdity and ended up writing a piece more seriously than I should have.

The New Yorker

All these are worth exploring in due course, but for now it is enough to highlight a point that is in danger of being missed.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, I am pleased that the outpouring of social media comment helped highlight a point I made just a few weeks ago in this very publication ; the general public cannot be trusted with social media, and that privilege should immediately be taken away.

The Guardian

On Twitter, there's this fun trend where if you really want to highlight a point, you👏use👏clapping👏emojis👏instead👏of👏spaces.

Vice

At this stage, I should like to highlight a point that I believe was also aired during Mr Désir's speech, concerning a degree of convergence that, despite everything, is becoming apparent – I mean regarding globalisation.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Her comments highlighted a point recently stressed by Mr. Bernanke, that Fed officials do not plan to wait for irrefutable statistical evidence of an economic downturn.

The New York Times

Good-government advocates say this highlights a point that they have harped on for years: strict regulations are useless without strict enforcement.

The New York Times

And so I think that either that needs to be looked at, or it's highlighted a point that maybe the spread of a penny is not quite tight enough.

Forbes

And it's also worth highlighting a point The Times' editorial board made last year: Law enforcement doesn't do enough to enforce laws aimed at abusive paparazzi.

Los Angeles Times

Taken in April '07, this image from the primary season highlights a point -- about a month after McCain stopped using Cindy's Cessna Citation virtually free of charge -- when the media started giving him some heat for it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "highlight a point," consider the context and audience. In formal settings, it conveys clarity and emphasis, while in informal settings, it can add a touch of sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "highlight a point" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "emphasize", "underscore", or "stress" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highlight a point" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used to introduce or emphasize significant information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It directs attention to a specific idea within a broader context, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highlight a point" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for emphasizing key information across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase serves to draw attention to specific ideas, ensuring they stand out. While synonyms like "emphasize" and "underscore" exist, "highlight a point" uniquely balances clarity and emphasis. It's particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific writing. To maximize its impact, writers should avoid overuse and consider its formality in different settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize a detail

Focuses on stressing the significance of a specific detail rather than a general point.

underscore an aspect

Similar to highlighting, but with a stronger sense of emphasizing the importance of an aspect.

stress an idea

Directly focuses on emphasizing a particular idea or concept.

draw attention to an issue

Shifts the focus to attracting notice to a problem or concern.

call attention to a fact

Emphasizes bringing awareness to a specific fact or piece of information.

spotlight a key element

Uses a metaphor of shining a light on a crucial part or element.

focus on a specific item

Directs attention to a particular item or element.

bring to the forefront a topic

Highlights the act of bringing something forward for discussion or consideration.

accentuate a feature

Focuses on enhancing or making a feature more noticeable.

emphasize a facet

Highlights a particular aspect or side of something.

FAQs

How can I use "highlight a point" in a sentence?

You can use "highlight a point" when you want to emphasize a particular idea or argument. For example, "The speaker used statistics to "underscore a trend"." or "The author aims to "stress the importance of" environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "highlight a point"?

Alternatives include "emphasize a detail", "underscore an aspect", or "stress an idea", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "highlight a point" and "emphasize a point"?

While both phrases convey the idea of giving importance to something, "highlight a point" suggests drawing attention to it, making it stand out, whereas "emphasize a point" focuses more on stressing its significance.

When is it appropriate to use "highlight a point" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "highlight a point" in writing when you want to draw the reader's attention to a key argument, idea, or piece of information that is crucial to understanding the overall message. It is commonly used in essays, reports, presentations, and articles to ensure important details are not overlooked.