underlines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to emphasizing or highlighting a point or concept in writing. Example: "The report underlines the importance of sustainability in business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An Orange Order spokesman said: "This preposterous decision by the Parades Commission only underlines the increasing perception that its determinations are dictated by the threat of physical force opposition to our parades.

The Guardian

In addition, the response of the majority of the Irish public, whose attitude veers from a warm welcome to benign indifference, also underlines how isolated the republican dissidents are in modern Ireland.

The Guardian

In addition, the overemphasis on the local man and woman underlines another important axiom about Irish elections: they are in fact 43 separate byelections, often fought on localised issues.

The Guardian

The lobbying push underlines the sensitivity surrounding Pope Francis's highly anticipated encyclical on the environment, whose aim will be to frame the climate change issue as a moral imperative.

The Guardian

The detail of the latest poll, which was conducted between Friday afternoon and Sunday and followed most of the manifesto launches, underlines how the race for No 10 is on a knife-edge.

The Guardian

This story is not just being played out north of the border: UK-wide polling shows the Tories and Labour scoring some of their lowest-ever combined shares of the vote, the inconclusive result of the last general election suggested a very significant juncture had been reached – and the fact that next year's result is anyone's guess only underlines the point.

The Guardian

A key attraction for foreign investors was Britain's EU membership – which underlines the extreme risks of withdrawal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Politically, the prime minister has caught himself in a trap in which he at one point thought he had caught the Tories: the trap of having to oppose a fiscal stimulus just when the need for one is growing, a stance that underlines his own responsibility for the parlous state of the public finances.

The Guardian - Opinion

That only underlines once again the view held on this side of the sea that there is one law for English, Welsh and Scottish subjects and another for those in Northern Ireland regardless of which part of the sectarian divide they grew up on.

The Guardian

The milestone of the 1,500th company to sign up also underlines the power of consumers who opt to give their business to companies that have become accredited.

The Guardian

In his video installation Barflies, which is at the Site Gallery in Sheffield until September 7, Chakravarthi stations himself in a variety of pubs and clubs and tries to get some attention, resulting in a subversive artwork that underlines the distinction between outward appearance and inward reality, according to the Guardian's review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlines" to subtly emphasize key points in your writing, making it clear without being overly assertive.

Common error

Avoid using "underlines" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like 'shows' or 'indicates' would be more appropriate and less verbose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underlines" is that of a transitive verb. It typically connects a subject to an object, indicating that the subject is emphasizing or highlighting something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "underlines" functions as a transitive verb used to emphasize a particular point or fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and most frequently found in contexts such as news articles and business reports. While "underlines" is quite versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in simple contexts where more direct verbs would be suitable. Alternatives like "emphasizes", "highlights", and "underscores" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance. Remember to use "underlines" strategically to add emphasis without being overly assertive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underscores

Underscores is a direct synonym, providing a very similar level of emphasis.

emphasizes

Emphasizes suggests a stronger, more direct highlighting of importance.

highlights

Highlights draws attention to something noteworthy or significant.

stresses

Stresses indicates a firm insistence on the importance of something.

accentuates

Accentuates brings out or emphasizes a particular feature or aspect.

draws attention to

Draws attention to focuses on making something noticeable.

points out

Points out directs the audience to a specific fact or detail.

demonstrates

Demonstrates shows or proves something clearly, emphasizing its validity.

reveals

Reveals uncovers or discloses something previously unknown, adding emphasis.

confirms

Confirms verifies or establishes the truth of something, reinforcing its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "underlines" in a sentence?

You can use "underlines" to emphasize a key point or concept. For example, "The report underlines the need for further research."

What are some alternatives to "underlines"?

Alternatives include "emphasizes", "highlights", or "underscores", depending on the desired level of emphasis and formality.

Is it better to use "underlines" or "emphasizes"?

"Underlines" suggests a subtle highlighting, while "emphasizes" indicates a stronger, more direct focus. Choose the word that best matches the intended level of emphasis.

What is the difference between "underlines" and "highlights"?

"Underlines" subtly draws attention, while "highlights" specifically draws attention to something noteworthy or significant, often implying a positive aspect.