to emphasise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to emphasise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to highlight or give special importance to a particular point or idea. Example: "In her presentation, she took a moment to emphasise the importance of teamwork in achieving success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, Mr Krugman used to emphasise it.

The Economist

Their strategy was to emphasise the positive.

Independent

No need to emphasise them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To emphasise this, Galbraith is resoundingly provocative.

The Guardian - Books

And I really wanted to emphasise infrastructure".

The Guardian - Arts

To emphasise, to bring a point home".

The Guardian

Fukuyama wants to emphasise the conservatism over the "neo".

The Guardian - Opinion

But Solomou is keen to emphasise a break.

The Guardian

Here, I wanted to emphasise that mystical quality.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's a work of fiction; I have to emphasise that.

The Guardian - Books

Hockey used a personal experience to emphasise his point.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by alternating "to emphasise" with synonyms like "to highlight" or "to stress" to enhance readability and prevent repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "to emphasise" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, diversify your language with alternatives like "to underscore" or "to accentuate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to emphasise" functions as an infinitive of purpose, often introducing a clause that explains the reason for an action or statement. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it clarifies the intent behind an action, such as a speaker drawing attention to a key point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to emphasise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that serves to highlight or stress a particular point. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is widely found in news media, scientific writing, and formal business communication. While the phrase is deemed correct and usable, remember to avoid overuse and vary your language by using synonyms like "to highlight" or "to underscore" for enhanced clarity. Understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register can significantly improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to lay emphasis on

A more formal variation with similar meaning to "to emphasise".

to highlight

Focuses on making something more visible or noticeable; less forceful than "to emphasise".

to stress

Implies a greater degree of forcefulness in drawing attention to something, similar to "to emphasise".

to underscore

Suggests emphasizing something by providing supporting evidence or reasoning.

to accentuate

Means to make something more noticeable, often through contrast or enhancement.

to call attention to

Directly focuses on the act of drawing someone's notice to a specific point.

to bring to the fore

Implies moving something into a position of prominence or importance.

to place importance on

Indicates assigning a high value or significance to something.

to give prominence to

Similar to bringing to the fore, but can also mean literally making something stand out.

to focus on

Implies concentrating attention on a specific area or aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "to emphasise" to introduce or reinforce a key point. For example, "The speaker paused to emphasise the importance of careful planning".

What are some alternatives to "to emphasise"?

Alternatives include "to highlight", "to stress", "to underscore", or "to accentuate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "emphasise" or "emphasize"?

"Emphasise" is the British English spelling, while "emphasize" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with your target audience.

What is the difference between "to emphasise" and "to highlight"?

While both phrases indicate drawing attention to something, "to emphasise" suggests giving something greater importance, while "to highlight" simply means to make it more noticeable.