let me underscore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me underscore" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize a particular point or idea that you are about to make. Example: "Let me underscore the importance of teamwork in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Let me underscore the obvious here: Reading fiction is important.

The New York Times

Although he said the matter was not resolved, he added, "Let me underscore, we are making a lot of progress".

The New York Times

Most of these countries will lack the economic institutions or the resources to effectively integrate these youth into their societies.... Let me underscore what the president has affirmed.

The New York Times

And let me underscore -- the United States keeps our commitments".

Los Angeles Times

Before anyone gets too irrational, let me underscore that no one, not even the most extreme supporter, is even suggesting that anything of any magnitude be initiated today.

Huffington Post

Let me underscore a key point here: Not only has Obama demonstrated an ability to widen the Democratic coalition, he has inspired a new generation of voters who -- if their cause is denied -- will be so crushed, so betrayed, so embittered, they will drop the party like a scalding rock and you will lose them for decades.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger said that under certain conditions the U.S. might be the first to use nuclear weapons, and that "first use could conceivably--let me underscore conceivably--involve what we define as strategic forces and possibly, possibly...involve selective strikes at the Soviet Union.... We do not necessarily exclude that, but it is indeed a very, very low probability".

The New Yorker

The Republican leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, highlighted the point that Democrats had come up embarrassingly short, saying, "Let me just underscore what the majority leader has indicated: the votes would not be there tonight".

The New York Times

Banging his hand on the podium for emphasis, he added: "Let me just underscore this -- those words, whether they were intended or not, whether they were misspoken or not -- haven't been retracted, and they constitute a smear, and I don't appreciate it".

The New York Times

To underscore this point, let me compare, of all things, Bernstein's opera "A Quiet Place," which had a revelatory production at the City Opera last fall, and the audacious hit musical "The Book of Mormon," with book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.

The New York Times

It would not be practical for me to walk through all the fiction in the film, but let me highlight a few aspects that particularly underscore the extent to which the film departs from reality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me underscore" to clearly signal that you are about to emphasize a particularly important point. This helps guide the reader's attention and reinforces your message.

Common error

Avoid using "let me underscore" too frequently, as it can dilute the impact of your emphasis and make your writing sound repetitive. Use it sparingly for truly critical points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me underscore" functions as a discourse marker used to signal the speaker's intention to emphasize a particular point. This is evident in examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase precedes key information or arguments. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

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, the phrase "let me underscore" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to emphasize a specific point. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears frequently enough in reputable sources like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and scientific journals to be considered a useful phrase in both neutral and professional registers. When using "let me underscore", remember to reserve it for truly crucial points to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "allow me to emphasize" or "let me highlight" offer similar emphasis with subtle variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Allow me to emphasize

Substitutes "let me underscore" with "allow me to emphasize", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Let me stress

Replaces "underscore" with "stress", providing a more direct emphasis.

I want to highlight

Shifts from underscoring to highlighting, focusing on bringing attention to a specific point.

It is important to note that

Offers a more descriptive way to emphasize the importance of something.

I must emphasize

Uses "must emphasize" to convey a sense of obligation or necessity in highlighting the point.

Let me point out

Focuses on directing attention to a specific detail or aspect.

I'd like to emphasize

Adds a touch of politeness while still stressing the importance of the point.

Let me bring to your attention

Offers a more formal way to introduce an important point.

I wish to emphasize

Uses "wish to emphasize" for a slightly more elegant or formal tone.

Let me call attention to

Directs the audience to focus on a specific detail or aspect, using a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "let me underscore" in a sentence?

"Let me underscore" is typically used to introduce a key point that the speaker or writer wants to emphasize. For example: "Let me underscore the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good health."

What are some alternatives to saying "let me underscore"?

You can use alternatives such as "let me emphasize", "allow me to highlight", or "it is important to note" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "let me underscore" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "let me underscore" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to clearly highlight a crucial point. However, consider alternatives like "I wish to emphasize" for a slightly more elevated tone.

What is the difference between "let me underscore" and "let me highlight"?

While both phrases emphasize a point, "let me underscore" typically suggests reinforcing a point that has already been made or is implicitly understood, whereas "let me highlight" is used to draw attention to something that might not be immediately obvious.