underlined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to text that has been emphasized by drawing a line beneath it, often to highlight its importance or to indicate a title or heading. Example: "Please make sure to read the underlined sections of the document, as they contain the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prime minister underlined the government would not allow Australian "jihadists" fighting in overseas conflicts back into the country.

The Guardian

Shadi Sadr, a London-based Iranian lawyer with the rights group Justice for Iran, told the Guardian that the case against Razieh Ebrahimi - also known as Maryan - underlined a hidden social and legal issue in Iran.

The Guardian

The budget underlined this plan, which means the amount of gross government debt outstanding will grow with the size of the economy, year in, year out, even when the government returns to surplus and the proceeds from asset sales flow to the government and bolster the headline cash budget balance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The task facing Hart and the five main parties at Stormont has been underlined by the eruption of sectarian violence on a Protestant-Catholic interface in east Belfast over the past 72 hours.

The Guardian

It underlined that although the SNP had long dreamed of displacing Labour as Scotland's dominant centre-left party, any prospect of doing so with a genuinely radical policy agenda had been shelved in the 1980s.

The Guardian

All the pledges and debates and drudgery all over again, but this time underlined by an inescapable sense of resignation.

The Guardian

That one of the most famous of the nearly 3 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan should have been able to get the card underlined for many the corruption that riddles much of government.

The Guardian

Measured but never bloodless, ranging from skittish to melancholy, it was a fittingly virtuoso way to close an evening that underlined the Academy's reputation for musical excellence.

The Guardian

The changing shape of the music industry was also underlined by the growing importance of streaming.

The Guardian - Music

I feel this song links to the UOMD trilogy by Michelle Hodkin as both the trilogy and the song are underlined with desperation and a dumbfounding weight of emotion; the feeling of not being able to escape a fate bigger and badder than you could have ever imagined and realizing that it doesn't matter how hard you try to hide your feelings or issues, that they'll always find you in the end.

The Guardian

In a speech at the Brookings Institution that underlined both the vibrancy of his economic critique and his distance from the political mainstream, Sanders, a 73-year-old liberal firebrand who runs as an independent but caucuses with the Senate's Democrats, said he was giving "serious thought" to mounting a campaign – though he acknowledged it would be a long shot.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlined", ensure the context clearly indicates emphasis or importance. For example, use it when summarizing key points or highlighting critical details in a report.

Common error

Avoid using "underlined" merely to describe physical attributes. For instance, instead of saying "the sentence was underlined", specify what that emphasis implies about its importance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underlined" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'underline.' It functions to indicate that something has been emphasized or given prominence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underlined" functions as the past tense of the verb 'underline', indicating emphasis or highlight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, predominantly in News & Media. It serves to draw attention to significant information, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases include "emphasized", "highlighted", and "underscored". When using "underlined", ensure clarity in conveying emphasis, and avoid misusing it for simple descriptions. Its pervasive presence in reliable sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its authoritative standing in English writing. In summary, "underlined" is a versatile term, effective for adding emphasis to specific details across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasized

Direct synonym, indicating a strong assertion or focus.

highlighted

Similar to underlined, focuses on drawing attention to something.

underscored

Another synonym, indicating emphasis or proof.

stressed

Implies importance or significance.

accentuated

Focuses on making something more noticeable.

pointed out

Draws attention to a specific detail or fact.

drew attention to

Similar to pointed out, but often with a stronger sense of intention.

called attention to

Similar to drew attention to.

made clear

Focuses on clarifying or confirming something.

brought to the forefront

Emphasizes bringing something into prominence.

FAQs

How is "underlined" used in a sentence?

The word "underlined" is used to indicate emphasis or highlight the importance of something. For example: "The speaker "underlined" the need for immediate action."

What words can replace "underlined"?

Synonyms for "underlined" include "emphasized", "highlighted", or "underscored", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "underlined" and "highlighted"?

"Underlined" typically refers to drawing a line beneath text to emphasize it, while "highlighted" means marking text with a different color to make it stand out. Both serve to draw attention to specific parts of the text.

Which is correct, "the importance was underlined" or "the importance was highlighted"?

Both "the importance was "underlined"" and "the importance was "highlighted"" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you mean a literal line was drawn or the importance was generally emphasized.