make bold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make bold" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of formatting text to emphasize it by making it appear darker or thicker than the surrounding text. Example: "To highlight important points in your document, you should make bold the key phrases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some INDCs do, indeed, make bold claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

They make bold claims for AirManager, their new system.

The Economist

"And I like accessories that make bold statements".

The New York Times - Style

He is in no position to make bold moves.

The New York Times

They: Make bold claims: "I'm a performing seal called Latitude".

The Guardian

Others can make bold statements, he prefers quiet reflection.

The Guardian - Sport

But some analysts caution that his connections could make bold action difficult.

The New York Times

"Ideological divides and political divides can make bold policy action impossible".

The New York Times

It's willing to make bold design experiments — like adding a stylus.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr Goolsbee is exceptionally charismatic and (for an economist) willing to make bold claims.

The Economist

You have to make bold moves, and sometimes you come close to betting everything.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When formatting text, use "make bold" to draw attention to key terms or phrases. It enhances readability and helps readers quickly identify important information.

Common error

Avoid making entire paragraphs bold. Overuse diminishes the impact and can make the text appear cluttered and difficult to read. Use it sparingly for emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make bold" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of formatting text to appear in a heavier, darker typeface for emphasis. As Ludwig shows, it is also used in a figurative sense, to describe making bold decisions or claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make bold" is a versatile expression with both literal and figurative applications. Primarily, it refers to the act of formatting text to appear in bold, used for emphasis and clarity. Figuratively, it signifies making daring decisions or statements. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news media to instructional guides. While overuse should be avoided, utilizing "make bold" effectively enhances communication by highlighting key information and conveying confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolden

A direct synonym, specifically referring to making text bold in formatting.

emphasize

This alternative focuses on stressing or highlighting something, shifting from creation to the act of emphasis itself.

highlight

Similar to "emphasize", this suggests drawing attention to specific elements, often visually.

make prominent

This phrase suggests making something stand out or be easily noticed, expanding beyond text formatting.

underscore

This implies emphasizing something's importance, often by literally drawing a line underneath.

make stand out

Similar to 'make prominent', this option speaks about visual emphasis.

state boldly

Shifts the focus to confidently expressing an opinion or idea.

be assertive

This suggests a confident and forceful communication style.

act decisively

Moves away from statements and focuses on taking confident action.

take a risk

Emphasizes the element of risk-taking and courage, rather than just making a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "make bold" in a sentence?

You can use "make bold" to describe the action of formatting text to appear darker and thicker, such as "To emphasize the key points, "make bold the keywords"".

What does "make bold" mean?

"Make bold" refers to the act of applying a bold typeface to text, which increases its weight and darkness to make it stand out. It is commonly used for emphasis or to highlight important information.

Which is correct, "make bold" or "bold"?

Both "make bold" and "bold" can be correct, depending on the context. "Make bold" is a verb phrase describing the action of applying bold formatting, while "bold" can be an adjective describing the appearance of the text. For example, you "make bold" a word so it appears in "bold".

What are some alternatives to "make bold"?

Alternatives include "emphasize", "highlight", or "bolden", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.