to accentuate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to accentuate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize or highlight something, making it more noticeable or prominent. Example: "The designer used bold colors to accentuate the beauty of the artwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To accentuate the excellence".

The New York Times

Fowler arranges his displays to accentuate dissonance.

The New York Times

We're going to accentuate the positive".

The New York Times - Sports

I pick what I'm going to accentuate.

The New York Times

They don't need to accentuate the vertical".

The New York Times

The interviews tended to accentuate the positive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His lengthy denial had served only to accentuate the allegation.

The Guardian

He is keen to accentuate the positive, though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She would simply have to accentuate her extracurriculars!

The New York Times

They were trying to accentuate the dress's S-curves".

The New York Times - Arts

Anyway, these days, Heseltine wants to accentuate the positive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to accentuate", ensure the subject being accentuated genuinely benefits from the emphasis, enhancing rather than distorting its inherent qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "to accentuate" excessively, as overuse can make your writing seem hyperbolic or forced. Subtlety in emphasis often has a greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to accentuate" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig examples show it used to express the goal of enhancing or emphasizing specific qualities or features.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

29%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to accentuate" is a versatile tool for writers aiming to highlight or emphasize specific aspects of their subject. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed. The examples from diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, demonstrate its broad applicability. While it is advisable to avoid overuse and ensure genuine enhancement, mastering the use of "to accentuate" can significantly improve the clarity and impact of your writing. Remember "to emphasize" with purpose, and let your words shine!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to highlight

Replaces "accentuate" with a more direct term for drawing attention.

to emphasize

Offers a synonym with slightly broader application, applicable in both visual and conceptual contexts.

to underscore

Suggests emphasizing something already present but needing more focus.

to draw attention to

Replaces the single verb with a phrasal verb, making the emphasis more explicit.

to bring out

Implies revealing or making more noticeable a quality that already exists.

to spotlight

Emphasizes bringing something into focus as if with a light.

to foreground

Suggests moving something to the most important position.

to call attention to

Is a more verbose alternative, suitable for formal contexts.

to make prominent

Focuses on increasing the visibility or importance of something.

to enhance

Indicates improving or intensifying a feature to make it more noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "to accentuate" in a sentence?

You can use "to accentuate" to describe the act of emphasizing something, such as "The lighting was designed to accentuate the artwork's texture" or "She wore a belt to accentuate her waistline".

What is a good alternative to "to accentuate"?

Alternatives to "to accentuate" include "to highlight", "to emphasize", or "to underscore", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to accentuate" in writing?

"To accentuate" is appropriate when you want to draw attention to a specific detail or feature to enhance its impact or visibility. It's suitable in both formal and informal writing, as evidenced by its presence in news media and encyclopedias.

Is there a difference between "to accentuate" and "to emphasize"?

While both phrases mean to give prominence to something, "to accentuate" often implies enhancing a feature or quality that already exists, whereas "to emphasize" can simply mean to give something importance or focus.