it serves to highlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it serves to highlight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the purpose of a particular element, such as a statement, action, or visual, in a text or discussion. Example: "The author uses vivid imagery; it serves to highlight the emotional depth of the character's experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

On the one hand, it serves to highlight the work of female artists in an art world in which men still predominate (only four women have won the Turner prize since its inception in 1984).

The Guardian - Arts

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "As the CDN has made clear, the small sample within this pilot study is not representative – it covers just 2% of the Channel 4 schedule – and it serves to highlight how valuable the CDN diversity monitoring tool will be in measuring and increasing representation across all programming going forwards".

The Guardian

"It serves to highlight that a single act has potential to undermine the best efforts of everyone at the firm," says Goldman press officer Lucas Van Praag.

Forbes

It serves to highlight some problems with one particular conception of set theory (the algebraic conception), but it plays no role in Skolem's arguments against other conceptions of set theory.

SEP

Instead, it serves to highlight, to make you notice the individual musicians.

Huffington Post

Today it serves to highlight an ongoing trend: In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It offended me because it served to highlight my unhappiness with my own self.

The Guardian

And it served to highlight the seriousness of the problems that the county faces as its new fiscal oversight board met here this afternoon to begin its work.

The New York Times

Yet the timing was particularly poor for the BBC, as it served to highlight another issue which has nothing to do with television, namely radio.

The Guardian

But it served to highlight the issue since South Korea is a U.S. ally and North Korea is close to China, while some North Korean hackers are believed to be close to Chinese hackers.

The New York Times

With England accelerating towards the lead and India spinners Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin often dropping too short, Cook and Prior made batting look so comfortable that it served to highlight the spineless nature of their first-innings capitulation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it serves to highlight", ensure that the subject clearly connects to the point you are emphasizing. This creates a smoother and more impactful reading experience.

Common error

Avoid using "it serves to highlight" when introducing a very complex or nuanced point that requires extensive explanation. Opt for phrases like "it introduces" or "it explores" to better reflect the complexity of the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it serves to highlight" functions as a transitive verb phrase used to indicate that something has the effect of emphasizing or drawing attention to a particular aspect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it serves to highlight" is used to emphasize a specific point, drawing attention to it and making it more noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure is grammatically correct, and it is most frequently found in news media and scientific sources. While "it serves to highlight" is suitable for most writing situations, more direct alternatives such as "it emphasizes" or "it underscores" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Pay attention to the subject to ensure that your subject aligns with the point that you are trying to stress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it emphasizes

Changes the verb to a more direct synonym.

it underscores

Replaces 'highlight' with 'underscore', indicating a subtle but important point.

it accentuates

Substitutes 'highlight' with 'accentuates', suggesting prominence.

it draws attention to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive expression of focusing attention.

it brings to the forefront

Uses a figurative expression to mean emphasizing or making something prominent.

it throws light on

Employs a metaphor to convey the idea of clarifying or emphasizing.

it spotlights

Uses a more modern and direct synonym for 'highlight'.

it flags up

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate drawing attention to something.

it calls attention to

Similar to 'draws attention to' but with a slightly different emphasis.

it puts emphasis on

Restructures the phrase to focus on placing emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "it serves to highlight" in a sentence?

Use "it serves to highlight" to emphasize a particular aspect or feature. For example, "The author's use of vivid imagery "it serves to highlight" the emotional depth of the character's experience."

What are some alternatives to "it serves to highlight"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it emphasizes", "it underscores", or "it draws attention to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it serves to highlight" and "it highlights"?

"It highlights" is a more direct and concise way to express the same idea. "It serves to highlight" can add a slightly more formal or explanatory tone.

When is it best to use "it serves to highlight" over other similar phrases?

Use ""it serves to highlight"" when you want to indicate that something not only stands out but also has a specific function or purpose in making that aspect noticeable. For example, "The detailed analysis "it serves to highlight" the underlying complexities of the issue."