was emphasized

USAGE SUMMARY

"was emphasized" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the importance of something that was previously stated. For example, "The importance of reading everyday was emphasized during the school assembly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Peasant production was emphasized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was emphasized in Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was the week a more physical style was emphasized.

The New York Times - Sports

The child abuse factor was emphasized, not the sexual orientation.

The Economist

The institution was emphasized in Mesopotamia and China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The public, or political, function of philosophy was emphasized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Creativity was emphasized in this year's program, "Bach to the Future".

The New York Times

"It was emphasized mainly on Earth Day and an occasional field trip to a nature center.

The New York Times

In contrast, corporate collaboration with the Nazis was emphasized in East German texts before reunification.

The New York Times

Heavy industry was emphasized to ensure Russia's future economic independence from its capitalist neighbours.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This criticism was emphasized by Margules (1989).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was emphasized" when you want to indicate that a particular point, idea, or aspect was given special attention or importance. This is useful in academic writing, reports, and general communication to highlight key elements.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "was emphasized" to the point where your writing becomes unclear or lacks directness. Ensure that the subject performing the action is either clear from context or explicitly stated to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was emphasized" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a particular subject received special attention or importance. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this construction allows the writer to shift focus from the actor to the subject being acted upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was emphasized" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to highlight the importance of a particular subject. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various formal and neutral contexts, including scientific, news, and encyclopedic content. While it's a valuable tool for stressing key points, writers should avoid overusing passive voice to maintain clarity and directness. Alternatives such as ""was highlighted"" or ""was stressed"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When choosing between active and passive voice, consider whether the focus should be on the actor or the subject being acted upon. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, making it a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received emphasis

This alternative focuses on the reception of emphasis, rather than the act of emphasizing.

was highlighted

This alternative uses a different verb, focusing on bringing something to the forefront.

was underscored

This option implies a clear marking or signal, instead of a general focus.

was stressed

This alternative is a direct synonym, but may imply more forcefulness.

was given prominence

This option emphasizes the act of giving importance to something.

was accentuated

This alternative focuses on making something more noticeable or prominent.

was brought to the fore

This phrase means to bring something into attention or prominence.

was focused on

This alternative indicates a concentration of attention on a specific subject.

was made a point of

This phrase means to take special care to do something.

was prioritized

This option indicates that something was given higher importance over other things.

FAQs

How can I use "was emphasized" in a sentence?

You can use "was emphasized" to show that something was given particular importance. For example, "The importance of teamwork "was emphasized" during the training session".

What are some alternatives to "was emphasized"?

Some alternatives include "was highlighted", "was stressed", or "was underscored". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "emphasize"?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. If you want to focus on the subject doing the emphasizing, use active voice (e.g., "The speaker emphasized the point"). If you want to focus on what was emphasized, use passive voice (e.g., "The point "was emphasized" by the speaker").

What's the difference between "was emphasized" and "was mentioned"?

"Was mentioned" simply means something was brought up, while "was emphasized" means something was given special importance or attention. Emphasis implies a higher degree of focus and significance than mere mentioning.