sought to underscore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought to underscore" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express an intention to emphasize or highlight a particular point or idea. Example: "The report sought to underscore the importance of sustainable practices in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Updike sought to underscore his arrogance.

The New Yorker

In his prepared testimony, Mr. Paulson sought to underscore the huge risks to everyday Americans.

The New York Times

In his talks with Frattini, Gates sought to underscore the seriousness of the overall Iranian threat.

The Guardian

Mr. Bradley sought to underscore that theme by calling Mr. Gore "a loyal No. 2".

The New York Times

On Friday, Ms. Quinn's spokesman sought to underscore her willingness to take controversial stances on principle.

The New York Times

He sought to underscore his pro-America stance with a tweet upon his arrival on Sunday.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Under the auspices of seeking to underscore the horrors of cyberbullying, Harrison read aloud some of the tweets that have been directed at Bristowe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are seeking to underscore the importance of their work and end the shutdown more quickly, the official said, not to protest.

The Washington Post

Thus did Warren Christopher, our Secretary of State, seek to underscore the seriousness of the warning that representatives of 16 countries concerned with the Bosnian war issued to the marauding Bosnian Serbs on July 21.

The New Yorker

Seeking to underscore that the merger with St .Benedict would be an equal one, Bishop Egan announced that Father Paskus and the Rev. Vincent Veich of St. Benedict would be co-pastors of the new St.

The New York Times

On "The Sopranos," the producers are seeking to underscore the central theme of the series, contrasting the family with the Family, every time mobsters reach into refrigerators for everyday products like Tropicana orange juice or Turkey Hill ice cream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sought to underscore", ensure the point you are emphasizing is genuinely significant to the overall context. Overuse can dilute the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "sought to underscore" in sentences where a simpler verb like "emphasized" or "highlighted" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought to underscore" functions as a verb phrase indicating an attempt to emphasize or highlight a particular point or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. This is used to draw attention to a specific aspect of the subject matter.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sought to underscore" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate an effort to emphasize a particular point. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in formal contexts, such as news, business, and academic writing. While effective, it's important to use it judiciously and avoid overuse in simple sentences where a simpler verb would suffice. Alternatives include "aimed to emphasize" or "tried to highlight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to emphasize

Focuses on the intention to give prominence to something.

tried to highlight

Emphasizes the effort to draw attention to a specific aspect.

endeavored to stress

Implies a serious attempt to give importance to something.

attempted to foreground

Highlights the act of bringing something into the most important position.

sought to bring attention to

Focuses on the action of making something noticeable.

made an effort to accentuate

Highlights the attempt to make something more noticeable or prominent.

sought to bring into focus

Implies an attempt to clarify and emphasize a particular point.

aimed at reinforcing

Focuses on strengthening or supporting an idea or argument.

worked to bring out

Emphasizes the effort to reveal or emphasize a particular quality or aspect.

strove to underline

Implies a concerted effort to emphasize or highlight something.

FAQs

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

Use "sought to underscore" to indicate an attempt to emphasize a particular point. For example, "The report "sought to underscore" the need for further investment".

What are some alternatives to "sought to underscore"?

You can use alternatives like "aimed to emphasize", "tried to highlight", or "endeavored to stress" depending on the context.

Is "sought to underscore" formal or informal?

"Sought to underscore" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related writing. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "sought to underscore" and "emphasized"?

"Sought to underscore" implies an intentional effort to highlight something, while "emphasized" is a more direct statement of having given prominence to something. The former is more descriptive of the intent, while the latter is a simple declaration.