underscore the seriousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underscore the seriousness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of something. For example: "The heavy fines imposed by the court underscored the seriousness of the offense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

American intelligence reports underscore the seriousness of the threat.

The New York Times

In his talks with Frattini, Gates sought to underscore the seriousness of the overall Iranian threat.

The Guardian

After the meeting, Musk called the head of transmissions at BorgWarner to underscore the seriousness of the problem.

The New Yorker

The unanswered questions underscore the seriousness of the situation and the ways it could fracture the country.

The New York Times

The building's austere, almost primitive forms and the dazzling collections it houses underscore the seriousness of the country's cultural ambition.

The New York Times - Arts

Such a high-minded message from him of all people would underscore the seriousness of Italy's situation, and might have real impact.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And he underscored the seriousness of pervasive unemployment, with the jobless rate at 9.7 percent.

The New York Times

"Imagine a dachshund with a back problem," said Dr. Levy, underscoring the seriousness of such conditions.

The New York Times

The president's actions today underscored the seriousness of the threat he faces in the general strike.

The New York Times

The revelation underscored the seriousness of the security breach and prompted an abject apology from the Secret Service.

The New York Times

The warning that the county's bonds would be downgraded underscored the seriousness of Nassau's fiscal crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underscore the seriousness" to introduce a turning point or critical aspect of the narrative or discussion. This can help draw the audience's attention to essential information.

Common error

Avoid using "underscore the seriousness" in contexts where the situation is only mildly concerning or slightly important. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios with substantial implications, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underscore the seriousness" primarily functions as a verb phrase that introduces or highlights the critical nature of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively emphasizes the importance of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underscore the seriousness" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to emphasize the critical nature of a situation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's effective for conveying importance and weight. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase lends a neutral yet professional tone, highlighting potential consequences and urging recognition of the situation's gravity. Alternatives such as "emphasize the gravity" or "highlight the severity" offer subtle shifts in focus, while overuse in mild contexts should be avoided to maintain impact. In summary, "underscore the seriousness" is a robust and versatile phrase for drawing attention to significant matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize the gravity

Replaces "seriousness" with "gravity", suggesting a weighty and critical nature, and "underscore" with "emphasize".

highlight the severity

Substitutes "underscore" with "highlight" and "seriousness" with "severity", focusing on the harsh or intense aspects.

stress the importance

Replaces "seriousness" with "importance", shifting the focus from severity to significance and "underscore" with "stress".

emphasize the critical nature

Uses "emphasize" instead of "underscore" and describes the seriousness as a "critical nature".

underline the urgency

Shifts the focus to the need for immediate action, using "urgency" instead of "seriousness" and "underline" instead of "underscore".

demonstrate the magnitude

Uses "magnitude" to highlight the scale of the seriousness and replaces "underscore" with "demonstrate".

show the depth

Focuses on the extent of the issue rather than its mere seriousness, using the word "depth".

accentuate the weight

Replaces "underscore" with "accentuate" and highlights the burden implied by the seriousness.

call attention to the risk

Shifts the focus to the potential negative outcomes associated with the situation, using "risk" instead of "seriousness".

point out the implications

Focuses on the potential consequences of the situation, using "implications" instead of "seriousness".

FAQs

How can I effectively use "underscore the seriousness" in a sentence?

To effectively use "underscore the seriousness", place it before detailing the specific aspects that make the situation critical. For instance, "The rising debt levels underscore the seriousness of the economic crisis" provides a clear and impactful statement.

What are some alternatives to "underscore the seriousness"?

You can use alternatives like "emphasize the gravity", "highlight the severity", or "stress the importance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "underscore the seriousness" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "underscore the seriousness" is appropriate for formal writing. It is often found in news reports, academic papers, and business communications, where conveying the weight of a situation is crucial.

What's the difference between "underscore the seriousness" and "emphasize the seriousness"?

While both phrases are very similar, "underscore the seriousness" implies a more subtle highlighting of an existing serious situation, whereas "emphasize the seriousness" can be used to bring attention to a seriousness that may not have been previously recognized.