put into relief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put into relief" is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a contrast or difference between two or more things. For example, “The bright colors of the painting put the darkness of the night into relief.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"As a feminist, I can only do one thing — put into relief something that has been ignored".

The New Yorker

The new rules, Mr. Le Clève said, "will put into relief all the contradictions of this government".

The New York Times

The advent and spread of air-conditioning, meanwhile, put into relief the habits of the pre-air-conditioning era.

The New Yorker

The moral emptiness of "Jeff in Venice" seems all the more devastating when put into relief by its companion, "Death in Varanasi".

The New Yorker

We believe that it is necessary to unearth such histories so as to put into relief the past that is evoked in intemperate ways by identitarian or totalitarian politics in contemporary West Asia.

Columbia University

The deep, muted timbres Zender tends toward are put into relief by the airiness of Prégardien's tenor, and the freedom with which he dispatches all but the highest notes.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In between, a repertory montage puts into relief Miller's eclecticism, verve, and irreverence.

The New Yorker

If anything, the fervor of the Janeites puts into relief a fact almost too obvious to notice: the world of books is a romantic world.

The New Yorker

This puts into relief one of #menswear's central innovations: dressed-down clothes executed luxuriously — like an artfully distressed Japanese chambray work shirt — which assert a classless identity that is, conveniently, also a signifier of class.

The New Yorker

It puts into relief the stresses they are under, and the sometimes impossible demands that we make upon them as modern people looking for comfort in a changing world.

The New Yorker

Jewish ritual, when it appears, puts into relief the Christianness of TV-land.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put into relief" when you want to emphasize a contrast or distinction between two or more things, especially when one clarifies or enhances the understanding of the other.

Common error

Don't use "put into relief" simply to describe emphasizing something. This phrase is more precise for when you're highlighting a contrast, not just stressing importance in isolation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put into relief" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of emphasizing something by contrasting it with something else. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and used in the English language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put into relief" is a useful idiom for emphasizing something by contrasting it with something else, making it stand out and be more noticeable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and relatively common in written English, particularly in news and academic contexts. Remember to use it when you want to highlight a contrast, not just to generally emphasize something. Consider using alternatives like "highlight" or "emphasize" in contexts where a simple stress is needed, as "put into relief" is more precise for emphasizing distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight

Similar to emphasize, but suggests bringing something to the forefront.

emphasize

A simpler, one-word substitute focusing on the act of stressing importance.

underscore

Implies drawing a line or giving added weight to something.

bring to the fore

Idiomatic expression meaning to bring something into attention or prominence.

accentuate

Focuses on enhancing or making something more noticeable.

draw attention to

Similar to calling attention, but suggests a more subtle drawing of focus.

call attention to

Directly focuses on drawing notice to a specific element.

spotlight

Suggests focusing intense attention, like a stage spotlight.

make evident

Focuses on clarifying or revealing something that was perhaps less clear.

give prominence to

Implies placing something in a leading or more noticeable position.

FAQs

How can I use "put into relief" in a sentence?

You can use "put into relief" to highlight a contrast or difference between two elements, for example: "The artist's use of light and shadow "puts into relief" the subject's emotional state".

What is a synonym for "put into relief"?

While there isn't a perfect synonym, alternatives such as "emphasize", "highlight", or "underscore" can be used depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "put in relief" instead of "put into relief"?

While "put in relief" might be understood, the more common and idiomatic expression is "put into relief". Using "into" helps to clearly convey the meaning of highlighting something by contrasting it with something else.

What's the difference between "put into relief" and "put into perspective"?

"Put into relief" focuses on emphasizing a contrast, while "put into perspective" aims to provide a broader understanding by considering all relevant factors. They have different purposes.