only to highlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to highlight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is done solely for the purpose of emphasizing or drawing attention to a particular point or detail. Example: "The report was revised only to highlight the key findings that were previously overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only to highlight the woeful security".

Britannica

And Valentine's Day served only to highlight that painful truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The recent suspension of Terrell Owens serves only to highlight the prevailing culture in professional sports.

The New York Times

All this serves only to highlight the genuine, breathtaking heroism that gradually emerges.

Independent

The need not only to highlight problems but to identify new ways forward, could not be clearer.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the big New York stage and late-season heroics served only to highlight what could have been.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then there's Carrie's pregnancy, an unnecessary plot point that served only to highlight Brody's Christ-like sacrifice.

The New Yorker

Instead, by trying to include me in things I could not do, the day served only to highlight that I was different.

The Guardian - Opinion

But with a special effects budget of just 100 million yen ($830,000), the effects are used only to highlight action, not drive it.

The New York Times

The activists say they had no intention of causing physical injury and wanted only to highlight their cause and mock "the image of authority represented" by Barcina.

The Guardian

Duterte's mass execution of the low hanging fruit in the Philippines drug trade will serve only to highlight how drugs have filled the vacuum created by successive governments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to highlight" when you want to explicitly state that the sole purpose of an action is to emphasize a particular aspect or detail. For example, 'The data was presented "only to highlight" the most significant trends.'

Common error

Avoid using "only to highlight" unnecessarily when the act of highlighting is already implied. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, focus on directly presenting the information clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to highlight" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the specific intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI shows, it clearly signals that the sole reason for something is to emphasize a particular point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only to highlight" serves as a purpose connector, clearly indicating the intention to emphasize a specific detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied sources—including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias—make it a versatile phrase. It's crucial to avoid redundancy and maintain a concise writing style. Alternatives such as "merely to emphasize" or "simply to underscore" offer subtle shifts in tone, allowing for nuanced expression. Remember to employ this phrase strategically to enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to emphasize

Replaces 'highlight' with 'emphasize' and 'only' with 'merely', slightly softening the tone.

just to emphasize

Substitutes 'only' with 'just', maintaining the simplicity and directness of the original phrase.

simply to underscore

Uses 'underscore' instead of 'highlight', conveying a sense of subtly emphasizing a point.

solely to draw attention to

Replaces 'highlight' with 'draw attention to', offering a more descriptive alternative, and 'only' with 'solely', stressing exclusiveness.

purely to bring to light

Uses 'bring to light' instead of 'highlight', suggesting a revealing or clarifying action.

mainly to call attention to

Uses 'call attention to' instead of 'highlight', directly focusing on attracting notice.

specifically to foreground

Replaces 'highlight' with 'foreground', indicating a deliberate placement of emphasis.

exclusively to foreground

Replaces 'only' with 'exclusively', stressing exclusiveness, and 'highlight' with 'foreground' to indicate a deliberate placement of emphasis

largely to point out

Substitutes 'highlight' with 'point out', offering a more direct and straightforward alternative.

principally to showcase

Employs 'showcase' instead of 'highlight', implying a presentation of something in its best light.

FAQs

How can I use "only to highlight" in a sentence?

Use "only to highlight" when you want to emphasize that the sole purpose of an action is to draw attention to a specific detail or aspect. For example: "The changes were made "only to highlight" the key differences between the two approaches."

What are some alternatives to "only to highlight"?

You can use alternatives such as "merely to emphasize", "simply to underscore", or "just to emphasize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "only to highlight"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "only to highlight" can sometimes be redundant if the act of highlighting is already implied by the context. In such cases, consider rephrasing for a more concise statement.

What is the register of "only to highlight"?

The phrase "only to highlight" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts, from formal writing to more casual communication, although it is less common in very informal speech. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and formality of the piece.