to spotlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to spotlight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize or highlight a particular issue, person, or topic. Example: "The report aims to spotlight the urgent need for climate action in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It did lots of things to spotlight the achievement gap.

The New York Times

Anyhow, Republican mischief isn't really what Seth wants to spotlight.

The New Yorker

It missed out on the best picture award to Spotlight.

The Guardian - Film

As their waiter says "we prefer to spotlight artisan cheeses".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Soups and stews are another way to spotlight mushrooms.

The Washington Post

One thing we always joke about is how they like to spotlight the auctioneer.

The New York Times

"I am trying to use my platform to spotlight the underdog," she said.

The New York Times - Books

So the White House has been taking pains to spotlight its work.

The New York Times

Last session, Mr. Perry had a handful of hot-button bills he wanted to spotlight.

The New York Times

"More and more athletes are using their fame to spotlight racial and social injustice and disparity.

University of California, Berkeley

The bouts, shown on ESPN2, are intended to spotlight New York boxers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to spotlight" when you want to emphasize or draw attention to a specific issue, person, or object, especially when aiming to illuminate or make it more visible within a particular context. It is appropriate for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

While "to spotlight" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations. Consider using more informal alternatives like "to show" or "to mention" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to spotlight" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of making something more visible or prominent, drawing attention to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to spotlight" is a versatile and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to highlight or draw attention to a specific subject. According to Ludwig AI, it sees frequent use across news, media, and scientific sources, making it appropriate for various writing contexts. While versatile, it's essential to maintain tonal appropriateness and avoid overuse in very informal settings. Alternatives like "to highlight" or "to emphasize" may be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to achieve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to highlight

Focuses on emphasizing specific aspects, rather than broadly illuminating.

to emphasize

Directly implies stressing the importance of something.

to showcase

Suggests presenting something in an attractive or favorable way.

to feature

Implies giving prominence to something as a key element.

to draw attention to

More explicitly focuses on attracting notice.

to bring to the forefront

Highlights making something more visible or prominent.

to put in the limelight

Emphasizes public attention and fame.

to foreground

Suggests bringing something forward for consideration.

to underscore

Implies emphasizing something that might be overlooked.

to publicize

Centers on making something widely known.

FAQs

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

Use "to spotlight" to indicate the action of highlighting or drawing attention to something. For example, "The article aims "to spotlight" the issue of climate change".

What are some alternatives I can use instead of "to spotlight"?

You can use alternatives like "to highlight", "to emphasize", or "to showcase" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "to spotlight" and "to highlight"?

While both phrases are similar, "to spotlight" often implies a more focused and intentional effort to bring something to attention, whereas "to highlight" might simply mean to emphasize a particular aspect.

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

"To spotlight" is appropriate in various writing contexts, from news articles and academic papers to blog posts and reports. It's effective when you want to draw attention to a specific issue, person, or event and make it more visible or prominent.