need to underscore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to underscore" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of a particular point or idea. For example, "We need to underscore the significance of teamwork in our project." Alternative expressions include "need to emphasize" and "need to highlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

R.H.: We need to underscore that for all of you.

The New Yorker

We need to underscore why this is an important investment in human capital and, therefore, in economic development.

The Guardian

There is a need to underscore two points made in Anthony Lewis's Nov. 17 column about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The New York Times

If your material is strong enough -- and I believe Landesman's was -- you don't need to underscore, capitalize or quantify, especially when there is really no way of coming up with a number accurate enough to be meaningful.

The New York Times

To better understand that key point, I need to underscore something Blanchard leaves out of his analysis (not a critique — this is outside the goal of his paper, which was to nail down the points above).

The Washington Post

"I think we need to underscore the place of population dynamics … Developing countries have a large number of young people who need access to education and health services and good governance and access to credit to be able to meet their full potential, so they can become entrepreneurs, create jobs for themselves and increase savings.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

(Considering how drastically the erstwhile delegates to the Estates-General had exceeded their mandates, they certainly needed to underscore the legitimacy of their new government and its laws).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Gore, Mr. Kerrey said, needs to underscore his achievements on everything from the budget to trade pacts.

The New York Times

"And now she's holding me captive here," she says, hardly needing to underscore the hint that she awaits a savior.

The New York Times

Mr. Clark brought Ashley, in her white satin gown, to show her that he loved her like a daughter, he said, something he felt he needed to underscore after Ashley's father left her family a year ago.

The New York Times

Future research is needed to underscore the importance of identification and treatment of children with inattentive difficulties.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to underscore", ensure it genuinely emphasizes a critical point. Overuse can dilute its impact, so reserve it for genuinely important aspects of your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "need to underscore" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. It can make your text sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your phrasing with synonyms like "emphasize", "highlight", or "stress" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to underscore" functions as a modal phrase expressing the necessity or importance of emphasizing a particular point. It indicates that the speaker or writer believes it is crucial to highlight something for the audience's understanding. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "need to underscore" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the importance of a particular point. While not overly frequent, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, scientific, and business writing. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for highlighting key information and ensuring it is not overlooked. While effective, remember to use it judiciously, varying your language to avoid repetition. Alternatives such as "should emphasize" or "must highlight" can provide similar emphasis with a slightly different tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should emphasize

Replaces "need to" with "should", suggesting a recommendation rather than a necessity. Uses "emphasize" as a direct synonym for "underscore".

must highlight

Uses "must" to convey a stronger sense of obligation or importance, and replaces "underscore" with "highlight".

we have to stress

Replaces "need to" with "have to", indicating necessity and replaces "underscore" with "stress".

it is essential to emphasize

This phrase introduces a more formal tone and emphasizes the essential nature of the action.

it is necessary to highlight

Similar to 'must highlight' but uses a more formal and explicit construction.

it's important to point out

Shifts the focus to "pointing out" which can be slightly less forceful than "underscore", focusing on bringing something to attention.

I want to bring attention to

Expresses the speaker's intention to focus on a specific point.

we should draw attention to

This alternative uses a more descriptive approach, suggesting a deliberate act of making something noticeable.

it is crucial to remember

Changes the action to "remembering", implying that the core issue requires continuous consideration.

it is worth noting

Introduces a sense of value or relevance to the information being presented.

FAQs

How can I use "need to underscore" in a sentence?

You can use "need to underscore" to emphasize a point. For example, "We need to underscore the importance of safety regulations" or "I need to underscore that this decision is final".

What are some alternatives to "need to underscore"?

Alternatives include "should emphasize", "must highlight", or "it is essential to emphasize". The choice depends on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "need to underscore"?

It's appropriate when you want to clearly highlight a critical aspect or detail that shouldn't be overlooked. It’s best used when the information is crucial to understanding the overall message.

Is "need to underscore" formal or informal?

"Need to underscore" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, alternatives like "it is essential to emphasize" might be preferred.