highlight something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highlight something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to draw attention to a specific point, detail, or feature in a text or discussion. Example: "In her presentation, she made sure to highlight something important about the project's impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But doesn't this highlight something unspoken about the critic's job?

The Guardian

"You want it to be a highlight, something that people remember".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wouldn't highlight something that would lead to a bad review," he said.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, the e-mails do highlight something important about Bush and how his Presidential campaign is likely to unfold.

The New Yorker

In pointing out a misstatement or blunder to millions, a politician could highlight something that may never have been noticed.

The New York Times

Perhaps, amid all the constitutional arguments, the Jewish holiday of Shavuot could highlight something in danger of being forgotten.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Yet Pyongyang time also highlighted something else.

Independent

Guthrie has highlighted something that nobody else had spotted.

The Guardian - Music

But for me, the evidence also highlights something more profound.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than empathy, the contagious nature of yawning may be highlighting something very different.

The New Yorker

But the Greener case highlights something a new and troubling trend in this supposedly tolerant nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: is your goal to emphasize importance, reveal something hidden, or simply make something more noticeable? Choose a synonym if it better fits your communicative purpose.

Common error

While "highlight something" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal academic or business writing can make your prose seem less sophisticated. Vary your language with synonyms like "emphasize", "underscore", or "draw attention to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highlight something" functions as a verb phrase, where "highlight" is the transitive verb and "something" is the direct object. It is used to indicate the act of emphasizing or drawing attention to a particular item or aspect. Ludwig AI confirms this through the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highlight something" is a common and grammatically correct way to draw attention to a specific detail or aspect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and media, it serves to emphasize or make particular information more noticeable. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in formal writing and consider synonyms like "emphasize" or "underscore" for a more sophisticated tone. Be mindful of the context, ensuring the chosen phrase accurately reflects the intention—whether to stress importance, reveal a hidden fact, or simply make something stand out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize something

Focuses more on importance or significance, rather than visual prominence.

underscore something

Implies emphasizing something that might be overlooked.

draw attention to something

More general and doesn't necessarily imply approval or importance.

call attention to something

Similar to "draw attention to something", but can also imply a warning.

point out something

Focuses on directing someone's awareness to a specific detail.

bring to light something

Suggests revealing something previously unknown or hidden.

stress something

Similar to "emphasize", but can also convey a sense of urgency.

accentuate something

Suggests enhancing or making something more noticeable.

feature something

Implies prominently displaying or showcasing something.

spotlight something

Suggests directing focused attention to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "highlight something" to draw attention to a specific aspect or detail. For example, "The report aims to highlight something that requires immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "highlight something"?

You can use alternatives like "emphasize something", "underscore something", or "draw attention to something" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "highlight something" or "emphasize something"?

Both "highlight something" and "emphasize something" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Highlight" suggests making something visually prominent, while "emphasize" stresses its importance.

What does it mean to "highlight something"?

To "highlight something" means to draw attention to it, making it stand out or more noticeable. It can also mean to emphasize its importance or significance.