underscore to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underscore to him" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when you want to emphasize a point or make something clear to someone. Example: "I need to underscore to him the importance of meeting the deadline."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he said that Mr. Simon underscored to him that "Brighton Beach" was not meant to be a sunny play.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama's new packaging for the government's existing public-private efforts also allowed him to underscore his commitment to manufacturing jobs as the economy continues to sputter, and in a swing state for presidential elections.

The New York Times

Then came the sounds of rowdiness from a nearby classroom, either to underscore his point or to remind him that some of his students are 12.

The New York Times

It underscored, for him, what is compelling about recording immigration stories.

The New York Times

Underscoring the legislation's importance to him, he added, "If we don't get it, then we're going to hold the people responsible at the polling place".

The New York Times

Yet it was the thousands who gathered at Shea under pristine skies -- people who did not know Robinson yet came to pay homage to him -- who underscored just how one man was able to transcend a sport and touch America.

The New York Times

"It is my understanding that an African Union delegation will go there [Bujumbura] soon to meet with him to try to underscore the importance... of the constitution..

The Guardian

Gold described Davros as having a "sound motif that underscored him" in addition to "the fingernails... voice... [and] face emerging from the shadows".

Wikipedia

To him, this only underscores the need for Congress to act.

The New Yorker

To underscore their seriousness, they presented him with a letter signed by all of the committee's Republicans save for Senators McCain, Graham and Susan Collins of Maine.

The New York Times

Listeners didn't need to know that he was grateful, and we certainly didn't need him to underscore his gratitude with the word "actually," a semantic fillip that asked us to care how he felt about how he felt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underscore to him", ensure the context clearly indicates you are emphasizing a specific point or idea for his benefit.

Common error

Avoid using "underscore to him" excessively. Overuse of less common phrases can make your writing sound unnatural or forced. Choose more conventional options when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underscore to him" functions as a verb phrase used to emphasize something to a specific person. Ludwig examples show its usage across different types of texts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underscore to him" is grammatically acceptable but not very common. Ludwig examples show its usage in News & Media, Science and Business contexts. While it is used to emphasize a point to someone, alternative phrasing such as "emphasize to him" or "highlight to him", are generally preferred for clarity. Consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use this phrase, as overuse could sound unnatural. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage, while not incorrect, can be improved by selecting more common synonyms for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize to him

Replaces "underscore" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same grammatical structure.

highlight to him

Similar to "emphasize", but suggests bringing attention to a specific aspect.

stress to him

Implies a strong urging or warning about something.

make clear to him

Focuses on ensuring understanding, rather than just emphasis.

point out to him

Suggests drawing attention to a specific detail or fact.

impress upon him

Implies a desire to make a lasting impact or understanding.

underscore for him

Maintains the term "underscore" but changes the preposition.

emphasize to him the importance of

Adds context about the importance and what is being emphasized.

bring home to him

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey making something vividly clear.

drive home to him

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the message in a powerful manner

FAQs

What does "underscore to him" mean?

The phrase "underscore to him" means to emphasize or highlight something to him, making it clear or important in his understanding.

Are there better alternatives to "underscore to him"?

Yes, more common alternatives include "emphasize to him", "highlight to him", or "make clear to him".

Is "underscore to him" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically acceptable, but it's not as frequently used as other alternatives. Its use is more about style and clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "underscore to him"?

It's appropriate when you want to specifically emphasize a point for someone's understanding, but consider whether a more common alternative would be clearer or more natural.