wanted to emphasize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted to emphasize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire to highlight or draw attention to a particular point or idea. Example: "In my presentation, I wanted to emphasize the importance of teamwork in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unity was what she wanted to emphasize.

The New Yorker

One company wanted to emphasize that it's a global organization.

The New York Times

And that was the point Professor MacBride wanted to emphasize.

The New York Times

"We just wanted to emphasize the pet overpopulation problem," Ms. Gottesman said.

The New York Times

"I wanted to emphasize the element of choice," she said, "because it's a kind of freedom".

The New Yorker

McEwan also wanted to emphasize the connection between the whisky and the place.

The New Yorker

"We wanted to emphasize the human urge to decorate," Mr. Long said.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Donnell wanted to emphasize New York's accomplishments on the issue.

The New York Times

He wanted to emphasize he (and General Kayani) were fully committed to better relations with India.

The Guardian

It was originally just called Government Reform, but I wanted to emphasize the oversight.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I wanted to emphasize the celebratory nature of this international event," Mr. Schofield said.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wanted to emphasize", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are highlighting and why it's important. For better clarity, provide specific details or examples following the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "wanted to emphasize" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of "It was wanted to emphasize...", opt for active voice: "We/I wanted to emphasize...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted to emphasize" functions as a verb phrase indicating the speaker's or subject's intention to highlight a particular point or aspect. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows the phrase used in various contexts to introduce key information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wanted to emphasize" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to indicate an intention to highlight a specific point. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal communications. While the phrase is appropriate for various registers, mindful usage will ensure that the intended message is effectively conveyed. Be careful to avoid using passive constructions. Use the alternatives to make sure your message is well received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to stress

Indicates a goal to emphasize a particular point or aspect.

sought to highlight

Formal alternative; implies a deliberate effort to bring attention to something.

wished to underscore

More formal; conveys a desire to emphasize the importance of something.

meant to bring attention to

Directly states the purpose of drawing focus to something.

desired to accentuate

Focuses on enhancing or intensifying a specific feature or aspect.

endeavored to feature

More formal than "emphasize"; implies a dedicated effort to showcase something.

intended to foreground

Highlights the intention to bring something to the forefront of attention.

sought to bring forward

Bring an element that wasn't obvious before, now it is.

tried to impress upon

Implies an effort to instill an understanding or awareness of something.

looked to bring out

Suggests an attempt to reveal or make something more noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "wanted to emphasize" in a sentence?

You can use "wanted to emphasize" to highlight key points or ideas. For example, "I wanted to emphasize the importance of teamwork" or "She wanted to emphasize the need for better communication".

What are some alternatives to "wanted to emphasize"?

Alternatives include "sought to highlight", "aimed to stress", or "wished to underscore", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it correct to say "I want to emphasize" instead of "wanted to emphasize"?

Yes, both are correct, but they convey different tenses. "Want to emphasize" indicates a present desire, while "wanted to emphasize" refers to a past intention or action.

What's the difference between "wanted to emphasize" and "needed to emphasize"?

"Wanted to emphasize" suggests a desire or intention to highlight something, while "needed to emphasize" implies that emphasizing something was necessary or required. The latter suggests a stronger sense of obligation or importance.