was to emphasize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to emphasize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose or intention behind an action or statement in the past. Example: "The speaker's main goal was to emphasize the importance of teamwork in achieving success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The idea was to emphasize high technology.

The New York Times

"Our charge was to emphasize its uniqueness and its New Yorkness".

The New York Times

Harrison insisted this was to emphasize why it is terrible to harass people through social media.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The overriding idea, several Rockies said, was to emphasize pitch efficiency.

The New York Times - Sports

The intention of the expo was to emphasize the separation -- the difference -- between France and its colonies.

The New York Times - Books

Colleagues warned him that Cannon's job was to emphasize human-rights abuses above long-term military and political gains.

The New Yorker

We should also remember that a goal of "Own Your Own Home Day" was to emphasize thrift.

The New York Times

His answer was to emphasize that Mr. Colvert was "one of the most well-respected and most experienced examiners in the world".

The New York Times

One of the clearest paths to distinction, especially in the primaries, was to emphasize his early opposition, as a state senator, to the Iraq war.

The New Yorker

His main message today, as it has been during previous school visits, was to emphasize the involvement of parents in their children's lives.

The New York Times

The general effect of the legless look from the posse of new designers storming the gates of fashion was to emphasize whatever the models wore on top.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was to emphasize", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended purpose or goal. This phrase is most effective when introducing the reason behind a specific action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "was to emphasize" when the purpose is already evident. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, opt for more concise phrasing if the intention is clear from the surrounding sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to emphasize" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or objective behind a past action or decision. Ludwig examples show it introducing an explanation or justification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was to emphasize" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce the purpose or goal behind a past action or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in written English. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, and serves to clarify intentions. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse and ensure the context warrants its explicitness. Alternatives like "aimed to highlight" or "intended to underscore" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to highlight

Changes the verb from "emphasize" to "highlight", suggesting a slightly less forceful focus.

intended to underscore

Replaces "emphasize" with "underscore", implying a more subtle reinforcement of an idea.

meant to stress

Substitutes "emphasize" with "stress", indicating a stronger focus on the importance of something.

sought to accentuate

Uses "accentuate" instead of "emphasize", suggesting a focus on making something more noticeable.

set out to foreground

Replaces "emphasize" with "foreground", and focuses on the act of setting out to achieve something.

had the goal of foregrounding

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal and specific term, "foregrounding", meaning to bring to the forefront.

was designed to draw attention to

Emphasizes the design or intention behind the action, focusing on attracting attention.

served to bring attention to

Expresses the purpose using a more descriptive phrase, focusing on directing attention.

tried to bring to the fore

Uses "bring to the fore" instead of "emphasize", implying the act of making something more prominent or important.

functioned to point out

Changes the verb to "point out", indicating a purpose of highlighting a specific detail.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was to emphasize" is used to introduce the intended purpose or goal of a past action or statement. For example, "The speaker's goal "was to emphasize" the importance of teamwork."

What are some alternatives to "was to emphasize"?

You can use alternatives like "aimed to highlight", "intended to underscore", or "meant to stress" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "was to emphasize" when the purpose is already clear?

Yes, using "was to emphasize" can be redundant if the context already makes the purpose obvious. In such cases, a more concise phrasing is preferable to avoid repetition and enhance clarity.

What's the difference between "was to emphasize" and "was intended to"?

While both phrases indicate purpose, "was intended to" is a more general expression of intention, whereas ""was to emphasize"" specifically highlights the act of stressing or underscoring a particular point or aspect.