to emphasize something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to emphasize something" 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 in your writing. Example: "The author uses bold text to emphasize something important in the narrative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rhinehart tends to emphasize something else about his product: the idea that you could live on Soylent alone.

The New Yorker

Still, even she made sure to emphasize something about Election Day that left her encouraged about her country.

The New York Times

As I watched him, somewhat amused, he began to jump up and down trying to emphasize something.

Huffington Post

It has a variety of meanings, but is generally used to emphasize something, dismiss another person, or act as an exclamation point.

Vice

Getting the assessments right is very important, of course, but I want to emphasize something I think is equally important: getting buy-in from teachers and parents.

Huffington Post

Taken from Raul Castro's speech in Santiago de Cuba, the words stressed that, "The Revolution will continue just the same, without commitments to anyone at all, only to the people!" With this cover page, both the orator and the editors wanted to emphasize something which, in reality, they don't make very clear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But I'd emphasize something a bit different from what Brad does.

The New York Times

I'd just emphasize something that peeps in and out of Duhigg's book but that is often lost in the larger advice culture.

The New York Times

One of Best Buy's main competitive strategies has been to emphasize services, something it has done better in the past than any national electronics retailer.

The New York Times - Tech

She was interested in stillness, in listening, but one didn't get too far in the conversation without Billie's hands going up in a little arabesque to illustrate a point, or her hips slightly swivelling to emphasize that something exciting had happened, or was about to happen.

The New Yorker

"Back in the early days, I always had a little smoke and fire, not only for misdirection but to emphasize that something magic had just happened," said The Great Raguzi, a magician based in Southern California who has performed professionally for more than 35 years, in venues around the world.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to emphasize something" when you want to make a particular point or idea stand out. Consider using synonyms like "to highlight something" or "to underscore something" for variety in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to emphasize something" too frequently in your writing, as it can weaken the impact of your message. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use stronger verbs or more descriptive language to convey importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to emphasize something" functions as an infinitive phrase used to indicate the purpose of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the intention to give particular importance or attention to a specific point or idea.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to emphasize something" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase for highlighting the importance of a particular point. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and applicability across diverse contexts. While "to emphasize something" is versatile, remember to consider its neutral register and explore synonyms like "to highlight something" or "to underscore something" to add depth to your writing. Avoid overuse to maintain the impact of your emphasis and ensure clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to place emphasis on something

Is a more formal way of saying "to emphasize something".

to highlight something

Focuses on making something more visible or noticeable.

to stress something

Implies placing particular importance or pressure on a point.

to underscore something

Suggests drawing attention to a particular aspect to reinforce its significance.

to accentuate something

Focuses on making something more prominent or noticeable.

to foreground something

Emphasizes bringing something to the forefront of attention.

to give prominence to something

Highlights assigning a high level of importance or attention.

to bring attention to something

Directs focus toward a specific item or idea.

to draw focus to something

Similar to bringing attention, but may involve redirecting existing focus.

to prioritize something

Indicates that something is more important than other things.

FAQs

How can I use "to emphasize something" in a sentence?

You can use "to emphasize something" when you want to highlight a particular detail or idea. For example, "The speaker used visual aids to emphasize something to the audience."

What are some alternatives to "to emphasize something"?

Some alternatives to "to emphasize something" include "to highlight something", "to stress something", or "to underscore something". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

"Emphasize" and "highlight" are similar, but "emphasize" suggests giving something more importance, while "highlight" suggests making something more visible or noticeable. You might use "emphasize" when discussing the importance of a policy, but use "highlight" when describing the key features of a product.

When is it appropriate to use "to emphasize something" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "to emphasize something" in formal writing when you need to draw attention to a crucial point or argument. However, ensure that your language remains clear and concise, and avoid overuse, as it can diminish the impact of your message. Consider alternatives like "to give prominence to something" for a more formal tone.