spotlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'spotlight' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as both a noun and a verb. Example sentence: The mayor's speech was the spotlight of the evening.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly, the recent spotlight on conditions at Foxconn has performed a similar service for the electronics industry.

The New York Times

Mr McGuiness said: "I think there is now a very strong spotlight on the DUP.

The Guardian

While Crawley has a proportionately much smaller Muslim population than others on the list, the West Sussex town was in the spotlight last year as the home of the first British jihadi suicide bomber of the Syrian civil war, and of three men jailed in 2007 for a bomb plot investigated by police under Operation Crevice.

The Guardian

By the time I'd reached my spotlight it had virtually stopped.

The Guardian

The 18th century was a golden age; industrialisation in the 19th century brought it to the working classes, and ruined it for the chic and rich; in the late 20th century, wallpaper was passé, but for the past decade it has been back in the fashion spotlight, thanks to the extraordinary creativity of designers such as these.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Immigration has fuelled political and public debate, as opposing views on unrestricted migration within Europe put Britain's future in the EU under the spotlight, so why not explore this subject by looking at the news?

The Guardian

The business leaders who have joined the B Team have committed to practise what they preach in their own businesses and will therefore come under an unprecedented spotlight.

The Guardian

But universities have found themselves in an unaccustomed spotlight over the last few months as student campaigners have called on them to withdraw their investments from companies involved in the extraction of fossil fuels.

The Guardian

Other new documentaries announced by BBC2 on Monday include This is Tottenham, that will feature the constituency's MP David Lammy shining a spotlight on the area, 30 years after the Broadwater Riots, and a biography by Dan Gordon about George Best, 10 years after the footballer's death.

The Guardian

Now the group is widely credited with bringing activism surrounding the case into the national spotlight.

The Guardian

Detrow asked Wurzelbacher why he was biting McCain's hand, after it was McCain who shone the national spotlight on him by repeated references in a presidential candidates' debate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spotlight" as a verb, ensure clarity by specifying what is being illuminated or emphasized. For example, "The report will spotlight the need for better healthcare access."

Common error

Avoid using "spotlight" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of saying "The issue was spotlighted", prefer "The journalist spotlighted the issue" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spotlight" is as both a noun and a transitive verb. As a noun, it refers to a bright, focused light or the center of attention. As a verb, it means to illuminate or bring attention to something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "spotlight" functions as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to denote the center of attention or the act of highlighting something, as validated by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its usage is grammatically correct and considered very common. While versatile, it's essential to avoid passive constructions for clarity. Alternative phrases like "center of attention" or "public eye" can offer nuanced variations. Ludwig AI confirms that "spotlight" is correct and widely applicable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

center of attention

Shifts the focus from illumination to the state of being noticed.

public eye

Emphasizes the visibility and scrutiny of the public.

focus of attention

Highlights the concentration of interest on a particular subject.

in the limelight

Similar to "spotlight", but with a slightly more theatrical connotation.

under scrutiny

Suggests a more critical and detailed examination.

highlight

Functions as both a noun and a verb, similar to "spotlight", indicating emphasis.

bring to the fore

Implies making something prominent or noticeable.

draw attention to

Focuses on the act of making something noticeable.

place emphasis on

Highlights the act of stressing the importance of something.

underscore

Implies emphasizing or highlighting something's importance.

FAQs

How can I use "spotlight" in a sentence?

You can use "spotlight" as a noun, referring to the beam of light or the center of attention, or as a verb, meaning to highlight or focus on something. For example: "The new policy put the issue of climate change in the spotlight" or "The documentary will spotlight the lives of refugees".

What are some alternatives to using the word "spotlight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "center of attention", "public eye", or "focus of attention" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "spotlight" as a verb?

Yes, "spotlight" is commonly used as a verb to mean 'to highlight' or 'to focus attention on'. For example, "The article will spotlight the latest advancements in medical research".

What's the difference between "spotlight" and "highlight"?

"Spotlight" often implies a more intense or dramatic focus than "highlight". While "highlight" simply means to draw attention to something, "spotlight" suggests bringing something into the main focus or giving it significant prominence.