if they emphasize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if they emphasize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance or focus that someone places on a particular point or idea. Example: "The effectiveness of the presentation will depend on if they emphasize the key findings clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But they will most likely look for plays that were successful last season, especially if they emphasize the talents of Kerry Collins and Barber.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't think they'll do well if they're just another television news operation," says Seib. "If they emphasize investigative reporting, if they provide a harder kind of news than we've been getting in the past few years from the American networks, then, yes, I think Al Jazeera America will find an audience — an audience that will stick with them".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Syrian people would still be killed, but casualties might be kept lower if they emphasized tactics like labor strikes and boycotts rather than demonstrations, where they are out in the open and sitting ducks.

The New York Times

Most obviously, disaster warnings would be much more effective if they emphasized actual distance rather than abstract political demarcations.

Huffington Post

As I saw things, Catholic conservatives and liberals often had similar styles, even if they emphasized different kinds of issues.

Huffington Post

He was always given credit by his teammates, however, even if they emphasized his position as a substitute on the team.

Wikipedia

If they do, they emphasize the girls' independence and don't mention men.

Vice

When they seat you, they emphasize that if you leave your table to go to the restroom, it is important to remember what section you are in.

Huffington Post

Because libertarians put the moral burden of justification on those who would use coercion (reduce liberty) to do good, and the State is inherently coercive (it puts you in jail if you don't comply), they emphasize civil society as critical to delivering welfare to those less fortunate among us.

HuffPost

They emphasize that, if PCs were to apply evidence based counseling, they would need to integrate their own view on EBP and specifically consider the social background of the patient.

BMC Health Services Research

If protected, they emphasized, coral reefs will respond.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if they emphasize", ensure that the subject and object of emphasis are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity in your writing. For instance, specify exactly what "they" should emphasize for the intended meaning to be effectively conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "if they emphasize" without properly contextualizing what aspects are being emphasized. Simply stating that "if they emphasize" something without specifying the subject creates confusion for the reader. Clearly define the topic or aspect needing emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if they emphasize" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a condition based on the act of emphasizing something. It sets up a scenario where the outcome depends on what "they" choose to highlight or give importance to. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is used to indicate the dependence of a result on a specific focus or prioritization.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if they emphasize" is a grammatically sound and usable construction in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It introduces a conditional clause that hinges on the act of emphasizing certain aspects. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. Remember to clearly define the subject and object of emphasis to avoid ambiguity. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "if they highlight" or "if they stress" to best suit the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if they highlight

Replaces "emphasize" with "highlight", focusing on bringing attention to something.

if they stress

Substitutes "emphasize" with "stress", indicating the act of placing particular importance on something.

should they underscore

Uses "underscore" instead of "emphasize", implying the act of drawing special attention to something.

assuming they prioritize

Replaces the condition with an assumption of prioritization.

provided they focus on

Changes "emphasize" to "focus on", indicating a concentration of attention.

in the event they foreground

Uses "foreground" in place of "emphasize", signifying the action of making something the most prominent feature.

if they give prominence to

Expresses emphasis by giving prominence instead.

assuming they accentuate

Replaces the condition with an assumption of accentuation.

conditional on their highlighting

Rephrases as a condition based on highlighting.

contingent on their stressing

Rephrases as a contingency based on stressing.

FAQs

How can I use "if they emphasize" in a sentence?

You can use "if they emphasize" to introduce a conditional statement about highlighting particular aspects. For example, "The project will succeed if they emphasize teamwork and communication."

What are some alternatives to "if they emphasize"?

Alternatives include "if they highlight", "if they stress", or "should they underscore", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to use "if they emphasize" or "if they stress"?

"If they emphasize" is generally considered more formal than "if they stress", although both are acceptable in most contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone and audience of your writing.

How does "if they emphasize" differ from "if they mention"?

"If they emphasize" implies a deliberate focus and highlighting of particular information, while "if they mention" simply suggests that something is brought up without necessarily being a focal point.