underline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “underline” is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize or highlight specific words or phrases in a written document. For example, “I always like to underline key words in my notes to help me remember them better.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That they should miss two glorious opportunities to take a potentially decisive advantage seemed merely to underline the ­certainty of their looming ordeal.

The Guardian - Sport

They also underline how little we're told about what we're paying for.

The Guardian - Opinion

The attacks starkly underline an increasing gulf between secular bloggers and conservative Islamic groups, often covertly connected with Islamist parties.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.45am AESTony Abbott Abbott was speaking in Melbourne to underline serving up the carbon tax, now surely a lukewarm dish, for the third time.

The Guardian

The position of HSBC and previous statements by Nissan underline this.

The Guardian

If it is right for them, says Abbott, it is right for the rest of the people in the towns and regions (underline regions) of this country.

The Guardian

"At the same time as enforcing the ban in Scotland, the SNP should underline its opposition to the practice across the UK by stating clearly its objection to any repeal of the law in England and Wales".

The Guardian

The action was dominated by Ireland's double world and Paralympic champion, Michael McKillop, though, who raced home in the T38 800m to underline his recovery from injury troubles.

The Guardian - Sport

This part of the legislation will underline Lenihan's pledge that state support will only be given to Allied Irish Banks if its controversial €40m bankers' bonuses are scrapped.

The Guardian - Business

The Green party will also hope to increase its parliamentary presence, heavily targeting three seats in a push to underline the increasingly fractured political makeup of the electorate.

The Guardian

Cameron used his opening address to underline Britain's strong relationship with France, which he says is getting "more important".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underline" to emphasize a point in writing, ensure that the context supports the need for emphasis. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "underline" when you intend to imply something subtly. It's better suited for direct, explicit emphasis, not nuanced hints.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underline" is as a verb, used to indicate the act of emphasizing something. It can also function as a noun referring to the line itself. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underline" functions primarily as a verb to emphasize or highlight information, but also serves as a noun referring to the line itself. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. With a neutral register, it finds frequent application in news, business and sports contexts, as supported by examples. Alternatives include "emphasize", "underscore", and "highlight". While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure it aligns with the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize

Changes the verb to a more general term for giving importance.

underscore

Uses a synonym that also implies drawing attention to something.

highlight

Replaces with a term suggesting making something more visible or prominent.

accentuate

Implies enhancing the prominence of a feature or point.

stress

Shifts the focus to placing importance on something.

call attention to

Uses a phrasal verb to direct focus toward something.

draw attention to

Similar to "call attention to", but with a slightly different nuance.

lay emphasis on

Uses a more formal expression to indicate importance.

give prominence to

Indicates making something stand out or be more noticeable.

drive home the point

Emphasizes the act of making a point clear and unmistakable.

FAQs

How can I use "underline" in a sentence?

You can use "underline" to emphasize a point, as in "The data "underline" the need for reform", or to literally draw a line under text.

What's another way to say "underline"?

Alternatives include "emphasize", "underscore", or "highlight" depending on the context.

Is it better to "underline" or "highlight"?

The choice depends on the medium. "Underline" is traditional for printed text, while "highlight" is common in digital documents.

What does it mean to "underline" something figuratively?

Figuratively, to "underline" something means to "emphasize" its importance or significance.