needs to be underscored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be underscored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of a particular point or idea that should be highlighted or made more prominent. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, the urgency of taking action needs to be underscored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

FINANCIAL TIMES | REUTERS Shades of an Intel Yet to Come | Intel's deal to buy Fulcrum Microsystems, which makes the Ethernet silicon that powers cloud storage, "is important and needs to be underscored," GigaOm writes.

The New York Times

And as Carol pointed out, I think it needs to be underscored that nobody should necessarily be applauding this self-help, do-it-yourself trend when folks are making investment decisions.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The complexity in understanding the importance of learning styles to the promotion of learning in mathematics may need to be underscored.

International Journal of STEM Education

8 Of course a few caveats need to be underscored in order to avoid major pitfalls.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

These factors need to be underscored and addressed when managing these patients.

BMC Public Health

"I do think more needs to be known," she said, underscoring that she believes there needs to be a strong oversight role for Congress.

Huffington Post

The suggestion by many high school teachers that STEM needs to be its own class certainly underscores the need to incorporate additional instructional time for it.

International Journal of STEM Education

That their marriage might encounter problems after the final curtain needn't be underscored.

The New York Times - Arts

Chris Marks of the Sheriff's Department's Carson Station, an area popular with racers, said the recent deaths from speed contests underscore that more needs to be done to end the problem.

Los Angeles Times

If the Colts keep both quarterbacks, it will probably limit their ability to spend significantly to improve other positions, needs that were underscored by the team's collapse in Manning's absence.

The New York Times - Sports

Tennessee's need to do better was underscored when the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the nation's report card, ranked the state near the bottom in fourth-grade math performance, just ahead of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes why the point you are underscoring is crucial. Provide supporting evidence or reasoning to enhance its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be underscored" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "important" or "key point".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be underscored" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express the necessity of emphasizing or highlighting a particular point. It indicates that something is important and requires special attention, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be underscored" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize the importance of a point or idea. While the examples are not numerous according to Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Several alternative phrases, such as "needs to be emphasized" and "should be highlighted", can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be emphasized

Synonymous; replaces "underscored" with a more common term.

should be highlighted

Implies drawing attention to something, similar to underscoring.

requires emphasis

Focuses on the requirement for emphasis rather than the action.

warrants highlighting

Suggests that something deserves special attention.

is important to remember

Shifts focus to the act of remembering its importance.

must be brought to the fore

Emphasizes bringing something into prominence.

demands attention

Highlights the urgency of giving attention to something.

cannot be overlooked

Indicates that something is too important to ignore.

is crucial to recognize

Stresses the criticality of recognizing something.

should be borne in mind

Highlights the necessity of keeping something in consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be underscored" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be underscored" to emphasize a point. For example, "The importance of early detection "needs to be underscored" in cancer treatment".

What phrases are similar to "needs to be underscored"?

Similar phrases include "needs to be emphasized", "should be highlighted", or "is important to remember". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "needs to be underscored" too formal for general use?

While not strictly informal, "needs to be underscored" is more suited to formal writing and presentations. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "it's important" might be preferable.

When should I use "needs to be underscored" over "needs to be emphasized"?

Both are similar, but "needs to be underscored" can suggest a more forceful or deliberate highlighting. Choose "needs to be underscored" when you want to stress a point strongly.