underline the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"underline the problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to highlight or emphasize the main issue or difficulty in a situation. Example: In the business meeting, the CEO asked everyone to take turns to speak and to underline the problem they were currently facing in their departments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(As if to underline the problem, his previous film, from 1980, was called "Hardly Working").

The New Yorker

But, as the government launches a new campaign to try to encourage girls into these subjects and careers, how can we really bring about change, and not simply underline the problem yet again?

The Guardian

Higgins tells his mother that Eliza will marry the vacuous and indolent Freddy Eynsford-Hill, and then laughs in repeated mockery at the stupidity of this arrangement - serving only to underline the problem that this outcome is not prepared for by the play, and that the consignment of his heroine to an unhappy, unintelligent and unworthy future leaves a sour taste.

The Guardian

Neither player has scored in the Premier League this season to underline the problem facing Gus Poyet's side.

BBC

Such scenarios would further underline the problem of trying to maintain public goods in large groups.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Terms such as HOLS (hunched over laptop syndrome) and "Text Neck" have been used by some doctors for years, and a bunch of surveys underline the problem.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In the contribution, the authors present some industry examples and underline the problems connected with the stability of these processes.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

The main objective of this paper is to examine and underline the problems regarding the issue of weighting environmental concerns in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEEDD) certification system, which is a US-originated but globally used assessment tool.

Journal of Environmental Management

These ads, unfortunately, feel neither clever nor funny, unlike their Apple predecessors, and they really serve only to underline the problems Microsoft continues to have with positioning its new, unusual device to consumers.

TechCrunch

They found significant variations in the material properties, which underline the problems in finding the perfect animal model and transferring the results to the human knee joint.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Naresh Ramchandani, an advertising consultant, underlines the problem.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underline the problem" when you want to clearly emphasize a specific issue, especially if it has been previously overlooked or not fully appreciated.

Common error

Avoid using "underline the problem" in casual conversations; opt for simpler phrases like "point out the issue" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underline the problem" functions as a verb phrase. It is used to highlight or emphasize a particular issue or difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underline the problem" serves to emphasize a specific issue or difficulty, prompting consideration or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for written English. While "underline the problem" is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, you should opt for simpler alternatives like "point out the issue" in informal settings. This phrase provides a clear and direct way to draw attention to challenges, especially in professional or academic discussions. It is similar to phrases like "highlight the issue" and "emphasize the difficulty", but conveys a slightly stronger sense of urgency or importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight the issue

Focuses on bringing the issue to the forefront of attention.

emphasize the difficulty

Stresses the challenging nature of the problem.

underscore the matter

Uses a synonym for 'underline', maintaining a formal tone.

draw attention to the predicament

Highlights the challenging or dangerous nature of the situation.

bring the core issue to light

Focuses on revealing the central problem.

call attention to the complexity

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the problem.

stress the importance of the challenge

Highlights the significance of dealing with the challenge.

accentuate the negative aspect

Focuses on emphasizing the unfavorable side of the situation.

give prominence to the setback

Highlights the significance of the problem as an obstacle.

lay emphasis on the adversity

Stresses the hardship caused by the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "underline the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "underline the problem" to emphasize a specific issue. For example, "The recent data "underlines the problem" of resource scarcity".

What can I say instead of "underline the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "highlight the issue", "emphasize the difficulty", or "underscore the matter" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "underline the problem"?

It is appropriate to use "underline the problem" in formal writing or presentations where you need to clearly emphasize a significant issue. It adds a level of seriousness and importance to the problem being discussed.

What's the difference between "underline the problem" and "state the problem"?

"State the problem" simply means to identify the issue, while "underline the problem" means to emphasize its importance or severity. The latter implies that the problem requires special attention.