to highlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to highlight" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to mean to emphasize or draw attention to something. For example: The teacher highlighted the importance of following proper safety procedures when doing a science lab.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Use highlighters to highlight important information.

WikiHow

Want to highlight a menu item?

The New York Times - Tech

CBS decides which teams to highlight.

The New York Times - Sports

Only to highlight the woeful security".

Britannica

I'm trying to highlight the prejudices.

Independent

"It was to highlight hypocrisy.

The Guardian

We set out to highlight a wrong".

The Guardian

Which stories do you want to highlight?

The New York Times

It's better to highlight our difference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I wanted to highlight innovation," Sawada said.

The Guardian

"We want to highlight that challenge".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to highlight" when you want to draw specific attention to a key aspect or feature, ensuring it stands out from the surrounding information.

Common error

Avoid using "to highlight" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to emphasize" or "to underscore" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to highlight" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples where actions are taken to highlight certain aspects or issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to highlight" is a versatile and common expression used to emphasize key information or draw attention to specific details. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "to emphasize" or "to underscore" to maintain writing quality. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "to highlight" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to emphasize

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning.

to underscore

Emphasizes importance through a different metaphor.

to draw attention to

More descriptive, focusing on directing focus.

to foreground

Emphasizes making something prominent.

to spotlight

Uses the metaphor of a spotlight to emphasize.

to bring to the fore

Highlights the act of bringing something forward.

to accentuate

Emphasizes by enhancing distinctiveness.

to call attention to

Similar to "draw attention to" but with a slightly different tone.

to stress

Focuses on the act of applying pressure or importance.

to point out

Highlights by specifically indicating something.

FAQs

How can I use "to highlight" effectively in a sentence?

Use "to highlight" when you aim to emphasize a particular point or draw attention to a specific detail. For example, "The presentation aimed "to highlight" the key benefits of the new product."

What are some alternatives to "to highlight" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "to emphasize", "to underscore", or ""to draw attention to"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between using "to highlight" and "to emphasize"?

While both phrases convey importance, "to highlight" often suggests making something visually or conceptually prominent, whereas "to emphasize" generally means stressing the significance of something through repetition or forcefulness.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "to highlight"?

Avoid using "to highlight" in situations where a more subtle or nuanced expression is needed. For instance, if you're merely mentioning something in passing without intending to draw significant attention to it, a simpler verb like "to mention" or "to note" would be more suitable.