they were emphasised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were emphasised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been highlighted or made more noticeable, often in the context of text or speech. Example: "In the report, key findings were presented, and they were emphasised to ensure the audience understood their importance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The six principles added as text were also the founding values of the whole course and purpose of the MOOC, so it was essential that they were emphasised.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

They were emphasised, repeated several times, and described in detail.

BMC Psychiatry

Anonymity and confidentiality, important issues raised by young people in other work [ 12, 27, 28], were also mentioned by participants as facilitators to an internet-based screening approach, as long as they were emphasised and assured to men.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It could be that the most sustainable interventions, like the ones that currently route you past the snacks or put objects at the ends of aisles where they are emphasised for the purposes of selling more, aren't ones you necessarily notice.

BBC

They are emphasising their belief that police are not protecting and cannot protect these communities against the scourge of drugs.

The Guardian

Maybe my first mouthful was all super-hot scotch bonnet, but they're emphasising chilli-heat so much that they're missing out on other flavours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By zipping back and forth across the timeline they're emphasising Mitchell's original message – that the human experience is essentially universal across the ages.

The Guardian - Film

They are emphasising "asymmetrical" means designed to blunt America's technological superiority: hoping to deny America the use of the seas with long-range anti-ship missiles and submarines, paralyse its highly computerised forces through cyber-warfare and neutralise spy and communications satellites.

The Economist

So it's on the table, but not something they're emphasising right now.

Vice

Honesty and confidentiality were emphasised.

BMC Medical Education

Speed and accuracy were emphasised equally.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were emphasised" when you want to convey that certain aspects, points, or items received significant attention or importance. Ensure the context clearly identifies what 'they' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were emphasised" if the referent of 'they' is ambiguous or unclear. Always ensure the reader can easily identify what is being emphasised to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were emphasised" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject ('they') received specific attention or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage aligns with standard English conventions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were emphasised" is a grammatically sound and relatively common construction used to indicate that certain elements received significant attention or importance. According to Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard English conventions. Primarily found in science, news and formal business contexts, it's suitable for professional and academic communication. While alternatives like "they were highlighted" or "they were underscored" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance one wishes to convey. To ensure clarity, always confirm that the referent of 'they' is unambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were highlighted

Focuses on making something stand out visually or figuratively, suggesting prominence but not necessarily importance.

they were underscored

Emphasizes a point by drawing attention to it, often implying a need for careful consideration.

they were stressed

Suggests that something was given particular importance, possibly due to its urgency or significance.

they were accentuated

Implies enhancing or intensifying certain aspects to make them more noticeable or prominent.

they were foregrounded

Brings something to the forefront, making it the primary focus of attention.

they were brought to the fore

Similar to foregrounded, but with a more figurative sense of making something prominent.

they were given prominence

Directly states that something was made important or noticeable.

they were given priority

Indicates that something was treated as more important than other things.

they were focused on

Implies concentrating attention or effort on specific elements.

they were underlined

Similar to underscored, this emphasizes the importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "they were emphasised" in a sentence?

Use "they were emphasised" when you want to indicate that certain aspects, points, or items received significant attention or importance within a specific context. For example: "In the report, key findings were presented, and "they were emphasised" to ensure the audience understood their importance."

What are some alternatives to "they were emphasised"?

You can use alternatives like "they were highlighted", "they were underscored", or "they were stressed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they were emphasised" in formal writing?

Yes, "they were emphasised" is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. It clearly conveys that certain elements were given particular importance or attention.

What is the difference between "they were emphasised" and "they were mentioned"?

"They were emphasised" indicates that certain points were given significant importance or attention, while "they were mentioned" simply means that they were brought up or referred to without necessarily highlighting their importance. Emphasising implies a higher degree of focus and significance than merely mentioning.