highlighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highlighting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of emphasizing or drawing attention to something, often in the context of text or information. Example: "The report includes a section highlighting the key findings of the research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, as usual, I will also be flagging up any breaking political news, posting summaries with a round-up of all the day's developments, and highlighting the most interesting political articles on the web.

The Guardian

But after a clear defeat – 55.3% to 44.7% – the SNP had been thrown a lifeline within hours of the result, undermining the Labour party and highlighting a path to a second referendum.

The Guardian

Highlighting its extreme sensitivity, the Afghan government did not formally announce the intelligence-sharing deal and denied that Pakistan will train and equip Afghan officers.

The Guardian

Sharma said: "The analysis … speaks for itself in highlighting seats with larger numbers of voters with an ethnic minority background and their potential electoral impact.

The Guardian

On the television news, there has been generous and sympathetic coverage, with American reporters in London portraying the party at Buckingham Palace as a jolly event and highlighting Prince Charles's speech.

The Guardian

Oxfam urged the chancellor George Osborne to use Wednesday's budget to make a fresh assault on tax avoidance and introduce a living wage in a report highlighting how a handful of the super-rich, headed by the Duke of Westminster, have more money and financial assets than 12.6 million Britons put together.

The Guardian - Business

While I can't deny that targets play an important role in highlighting this issue and kickstarting change, it's important to remember that they have limitations.

The Guardian

Ed Davey noted yesterday that the Paris summit is likely to fall well short of the 2-degree target, highlighting the gap between what is scientifically sufficient and what is politically possible.

The Guardian

National Grid has called on electricity suppliers to declare how much spare capacity they could muster to cover peak times either side of Christmas – highlighting the possibility of power shortages this winter.

The Guardian - Business

Senussi was also involved in targeting influential western academics with the aim of highlighting the emergence of a "new Libya".

The Guardian

This article was amended on 19 December 2012 to clarify details of the initiative highlighting the plight of political prisoners.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "highlighting" information, use formatting like bold text or bullet points to make the emphasized content visually distinct.

Common error

Avoid "highlighting" too much text, as it can diminish the impact of the emphasized sections and make the overall content appear cluttered.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "highlighting" is as a present participle or gerund, often used to describe the act of emphasizing or drawing attention to something. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing it frequently appears to introduce key aspects or findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highlighting" functions as a versatile term used to emphasize or draw attention to specific details. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, use formatting when "highlighting" key information, but avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "emphasizing" or "underscoring" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasizing

Focuses more directly on the act of stressing importance.

underscoring

Implies reinforcing or confirming something already known.

accentuating

Suggests enhancing a particular feature or aspect.

spotlighting

Conveys a sense of bringing something into sharp focus.

drawing attention to

A more explicit and descriptive alternative.

bringing to the forefront

Indicates moving something into a position of prominence.

calling attention to

Similar to "drawing attention to", but slightly more direct.

giving prominence to

Emphasizes the act of bestowing importance.

making conspicuous

Implies making something clearly visible or noticeable.

focusing on

Suggests directing attention specifically to one element.

FAQs

How can I use "highlighting" in a sentence?

You can use "highlighting" to emphasize key points or draw attention to important details in your writing. For example, "The report is "highlighting" the need for better safety measures".

What are some alternatives to the word "highlighting"?

Alternatives to "highlighting" include "emphasizing", "underscoring", and "accentuating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "highlighting the importance of"?

Yes, "highlighting the importance of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. For example, "The presentation is highlighting the importance of data analysis".

What is the difference between "highlighting" and "summarizing"?

"Highlighting" involves drawing attention to specific aspects, while "summarizing" involves providing a condensed overview of the main points. You might "highlight" key statistics within a summary.