to be underlined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be underlined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to text that should be emphasized or highlighted by underlining it. Example: "In your essay, the key terms should be to be underlined for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This has to be underlined.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anyway, at this panel, Akhil Amar made two excellent points that deserve to be underlined.

The New Yorker

You figure out which lines of dialogue deserve to be underlined.

The Guardian - Film

The pronoun that opens the poem, "they" – soon to be underlined by "all" – suggests both intimacy and reticence.

The Guardian - Books

The metaphorical nature of Mr. Makavejev's strong man hardly needed to be underlined in the Yugoslavia of Marshal Tito.

The New York Times

The urgency felt by all sides appeared to be underlined by the extraordinary length and discomfort of the talks between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany.

The Guardian

Public unease about the drive to war is also expected to be underlined in one of the largest protest marches in recent times, to be held in London today.

The Guardian

Two findings of the present study deserve to be underlined.

Annals of Intensive Care

The latter is already clear, the former is yet to be underlined.

Forbes

The present study has some limitations that have to be underlined.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A number of pertinent questions remain, but two main concerns need to be underlined.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be underlined" when you want to explicitly indicate that a point should be given special attention or emphasis, either literally or figuratively.

Common error

Avoid using "to be underlined" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "to be emphasized" or "to be highlighted" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to be underlined" functions primarily as a verbal complement, often following verbs like 'need', 'deserve', or 'has'. It indicates that something requires emphasis or special attention, similar to how underlining is used in text. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be underlined" is a grammatically correct and very common infinitive phrase used to emphasize the importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While effective for adding emphasis, it's important to avoid overuse and to consider synonyms like "to be emphasized" or "to be highlighted" for variety. Its primary function is to signal significance, making it a valuable tool in writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be emphasized

Focuses on giving importance, similar to underlining.

to be highlighted

Implies drawing attention to something, much like underlining.

to be stressed

Indicates importance and forcefulness, akin to underlining for emphasis.

to be underscored

Formally emphasizes a point, similar to drawing a line beneath it.

to be given prominence

Shifts focus to making something stand out.

to be brought to the fore

Emphasizes bringing attention to something previously less noticeable.

to be brought into focus

Similar to highlighting, making something clearer.

to be accentuated

Focuses on enhancing a specific aspect.

to be made clear

Highlights the need for clarity, implying emphasis.

to be pointed out

Draws attention to a specific detail or fact.

FAQs

How can I use "to be underlined" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be underlined" is used to indicate that something needs emphasis or special attention. For example, "The importance of this step needs "to be underlined"."

What are some alternatives to "to be underlined"?

Alternatives include "to be emphasized", "to be highlighted", or "to be stressed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "should be underlined" or "needs to be underlined"?

Both "should be underlined" and "needs to be underlined" are grammatically correct. "Should be underlined" implies a recommendation, while "needs to be underlined" indicates a requirement or necessity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to be underlined" in academic writing?

In academic writing, "to be underlined" can be used to signal the importance of a particular argument, finding, or limitation of a study. For example, "A key limitation of this study has "to be underlined"."