put the spotlight on

USAGE SUMMARY

"put the spotlight on" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
It means to focus attention on or call attention to something. For example, you can use this phrase in the following sentence: "The teacher put the spotlight on a student's impressive artwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These Olympic Games have put the spotlight on one of the most urgent yet beatable crises of our time.

The Guardian

Each week The Onion will put the spotlight on one country, really highlighting its dumbness.

TechCrunch

"We totally understand the pressures on referees and this isn't to put the spotlight on that one decision," he said.

Independent

And one way to do that is to put the spotlight on mental-health issues.

Huffington Post

They put the spotlight on conditions there.

The New York Times

Donnie won, put the spotlight on him.

The New York Times - Sports

Until then, let's put the spotlight on Charles Woodson.

The New York Times

"We want to put the spotlight on the record.

The Guardian - Music

"Yet she never put the spotlight on herself.

The New York Times - Arts

That put the spotlight on the United States.

The New York Times

Carter's plight has also put the spotlight on the N.F.L.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put the spotlight on" when you want to emphasize the importance of something or someone to make it more visible or prominent. This phrase is effective in drawing attention to issues, achievements, or individuals.

Common error

While "put the spotlight on" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more direct or precise term like "emphasize" or "highlight" might be more appropriate. Adapt your language to suit your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put the spotlight on" functions as a verb phrase. It is used idiomatically to direct attention or emphasize a particular subject, issue, or person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put the spotlight on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used idiomatic verb phrase that directs attention to a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and illustrates its diverse application. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase effectively highlights issues, people, or events to increase visibility and awareness. While suitable for various contexts, it's essential to consider formality and audience, opting for more precise terms like "emphasize" in highly formal settings. Alternatives such as "highlight", "emphasize", and "draw attention to" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Therefore, "put the spotlight on" is a valuable addition to your writing toolkit for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight

Direct synonym; replaces the idiomatic expression with a single, common verb.

emphasize

Similar to "highlight", but suggests a stronger degree of prominence.

focus attention on

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal and straightforward phrase.

draw attention to

Suggests making something noticeable.

call attention to

Similar to "draw attention to", but implies a more deliberate effort.

bring to the forefront

Implies moving something from a less visible position to a more prominent one.

underscore

Suggests highlighting something already present but needing more emphasis.

accentuate

Implies making something more noticeable through contrast or emphasis.

give prominence to

Indicates bestowing importance or notability.

shed light on

Suggests revealing or clarifying something that was previously obscure.

FAQs

How can I use "put the spotlight on" in a sentence?

You can use "put the spotlight on" to emphasize something. For example: "The documentary "put the spotlight on" the issue of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "put the spotlight on"?

Some alternatives include "highlight", "emphasize", or "draw attention to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "put the spotlight on" a formal or informal expression?

"Put the spotlight on" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for various contexts, but it may be perceived as slightly less formal than alternatives like "emphasize" or "underscore". Choose your wording based on the formality of your writing.

What's the difference between "put the spotlight on" and "shed light on"?

"Put the spotlight on" emphasizes making something visible and prominent, whereas "shed light on" implies revealing or clarifying something previously obscure or unknown. The first is about visibility, the second is about understanding.