the emphasis was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the emphasis was" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was given a larger focus or importance than other elements. For example: "In Sally's speech, the emphasis was on the importance of kindness and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The emphasis was on agriculture".

The New York Times

The emphasis was on the word "small".

The New York Times - Magazine

The emphasis was on brilliance, intensity, punch.

The New York Times - Arts

The emphasis was on creating a learning community.

The Guardian

For Chongqing officials, the emphasis was on urbanization.

The New York Times

The emphasis was not on scales or theory.

The New York Times

The emphasis was who seems to be doing interesting work".

The New York Times - Arts

But the emphasis was on the ordinary man, working.

The Guardian

The emphasis was on promoting good news about the Olympics.

The New York Times

But he later realized that the emphasis was intentional.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then the emphasis was on killing or capturing terrorists.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the emphasis was" to clearly indicate the primary focus or importance of a particular aspect in your writing. This helps readers understand what you consider most significant.

Common error

Avoid using "the emphasis was" when a more specific verb or phrasing could provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of "the emphasis was on speed", try "we prioritized speed" to make the action more direct.

Linguistic Context

"The emphasis was" functions as a phrase to indicate the main point or the area of importance within a discussion, argument, or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It directs the listener or reader to what is considered most significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the emphasis was" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the primary focus or importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While phrases like "the focus was" and "the priority was" offer similar meanings, "the emphasis was" often carries a stronger implication of deliberate highlighting. To ensure clarity, avoid overusing it and opt for more specific verbs when possible. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "the emphasis was" to guide your readers to what matters most.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the focus was

Replaces "emphasis" with "focus", maintaining the meaning of primary attention.

the stress was

Substitutes "emphasis" with "stress", highlighting the importance placed on something.

the priority was

Changes "emphasis" to "priority", indicating what was considered most important.

the main point was

Rephrases to highlight the central idea or aspect being given importance.

the concentration was

Replaces "emphasis" with "concentration", showing where attention was primarily directed.

the attention was

Substitutes "emphasis" with "attention", focusing on where attention was directed.

the significance was

Replaces "emphasis" with "significance", indicating what was considered meaningful.

the key aspect was

Highlights the most important or crucial element under consideration.

the underlying theme was

Shifts the focus to the recurring or fundamental idea.

the central idea was

Rephrases to indicate the primary thought or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "the emphasis was" in a sentence?

You can use "the emphasis was" to highlight the main focus or priority. For example, "In the meeting, "the emphasis was" on cost reduction."

What phrases are similar to "the emphasis was"?

Similar phrases include "the focus was", "the priority was", and "the main point was". These phrases all indicate the primary area of attention.

Is "the emphasis was" formal or informal?

"The emphasis was" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various types of writing and speech.

What's the difference between "the emphasis was" and "the focus was"?

While similar, "the emphasis was" implies a deliberate highlighting of importance, whereas "the focus was" simply indicates where attention was directed. The former carries a slightly stronger connotation of importance.