underscored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underscored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been emphasized or highlighted, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report underscored the importance of timely communication in project management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Monday, during closing arguments, assistant US attorney John Cronan underscored the importance of Abu Ghaith's post 9/11 status.

The Guardian

The Liberal Democrats, hardly mentioned in the debate, also claimed it had revealed nothing but a rabble, and had underscored the need for the centrist Nick Clegg to be involved in any future coalition.

The Guardian

Yet few doubt the snub is real and grumbling continues from Gulf states about what they see as major flaws in a nearly complete deal to reign in Iran's nuclear potential – a misgiving underscored on the eve of the Camp David talks by reports that GCC members intend to match Tehran's continued ability to enrich uranium fuel.

The Guardian

Fears about the health of the world's second-biggest economy were underscored over the weekend as the central bank cut interest rates for the third time in six months.

The Guardian - Business

The New York Times goes all melodramatic on the matter: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office underscored the stakes in a report Thursday that framed Washington's dilemma.

The Guardian

Politicians and entrepreneurs who have opposed Putin have been treated harshly, underscored by the long imprisonment of billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

The Guardian

A ComRes poll on Sunday underscored the scale of the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their continuing detention was the result of a snarled political, bureaucratic and diplomatic process that underscored the continuing difficulty of closing the notorious detention center.

The Guardian

Abbott said he understood the anger felt by many Australians over the death sentence, but underscored the importance of Australia's relationship with Indonesia.

The Guardian

The perils facing migrants from Africa and the Middle East trying to get to Europe across the Mediterranean has been underscored once again with another deadly shipwreck off the Libyan coast, in which as many as 700 people are feared dead.

The Guardian

The sense of confusion was underscored by the resignation of the chairman of Bank of Cyprus, apparently because no one had discussed the bank's forced restructuring with its management.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underscored" to emphasize the significance of a fact, event, or idea within your writing to draw the reader's attention to its importance.

Common error

While "underscored" is suitable for formal writing, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal content. Opt for simpler alternatives like "highlighted" or "pointed out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underscored" is a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb "underscore". It is used to emphasize or highlight something, making it stand out or appear more important. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underscored" functions as a verb to emphasize the significance of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in formal contexts such as "News & Media". While versatile, it's advisable to opt for alternatives like "highlighted" in informal settings. To ensure proper usage, focus on using "underscored" to draw attention to a specific element's importance. Be aware of overuse, especially in casual settings, and broaden your vocabulary with synonyms to create better and more appealing content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasized

Indicates a stronger assertion of importance compared to simply highlighting.

highlighted

Focuses on drawing attention to something, often visually or figuratively.

stressed

Implies placing importance or pressure on a specific element.

underlined

Similar to "underscored", but can also refer to a literal line drawn underneath text.

brought attention to

More descriptive, indicating a deliberate act of making something noticeable.

pointed out

Suggests drawing attention to a fact or detail, often in a discussion.

reinforced

Implies strengthening or validating something already present.

accentuated

Highlights something to make it more noticeable or prominent.

demonstrated

Shows or proves something clearly, often through evidence.

made clear

Indicates that something was previously ambiguous but is now easily understood.

FAQs

How can I use "underscored" in a sentence?

Use "underscored" to emphasize the importance or significance of something. For example, "The report "underscored" the need for immediate action".

What are some alternatives to "underscored"?

You can use alternatives like "emphasized", "highlighted", or "stressed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the importance was underscored"?

Yes, "the importance was underscored" is a grammatically correct passive construction, indicating that the importance was emphasized.

What's the difference between "underscored" and "highlighted"?

"Underscored" often implies a more significant or formal emphasis, while "highlighted" can refer to drawing attention to something in a more general sense.