were highlighted in

USAGE SUMMARY

"were highlighted in" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was emphasized or distinguished in a certain way. For example: "Her accomplishments were highlighted in her performance review."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Peaks passing the quality threshold for the assay were highlighted in blue, whereas peaks that were highlighted in yellow required further evaluation before obtaining an acceptable result.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

The mature miRNAs were highlighted in yellow while miRNA star sequences were highlighted in green.

BMC Plant Biology

All of these were highlighted in Ipsos MORI research presented in a different session at that same Progressive London conference.

The Guardian

Those dangers were highlighted in frightening analyses made this month by investor Warren Buffett and Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

The Washington Post

All captured cells were highlighted in blue for easy distinction.

Nanoscale Research Letters

All cells were highlighted in blue, while the Pt was in purple, for clear differentiation.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The mutation sites Ser214, Ala216, Leu217 and Ser220 were highlighted in bold.

Protein & Cell

These claims were highlighted in Netflix's 2014 Oscar-bait documentary Virunga on conflict and oil in the park.

Vice

Similar results and differences in LD maps were highlighted in all chromosomes analyzed.

Plosone

Significant differences were highlighted in bold.

BMC Cancer

Highly conserved regions were highlighted in black.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were highlighted in", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being emphasized and why it is significant. For instance, "Key findings were highlighted in the report to draw attention to critical areas for improvement."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "were highlighted in". While grammatically correct, excessive use can make writing sound vague or indirect. Whenever possible, opt for active voice to make your sentences more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The benefits were highlighted in the study", consider "The study highlighted the benefits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were highlighted in" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that certain elements received particular emphasis or attention within a specific context. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly found in various types of writing to draw focus to specific aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were highlighted in" is a versatile and frequently used expression for emphasizing key points within various forms of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It’s particularly common in scientific, news, and academic writing, where it serves to draw attention to significant findings or arguments. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider employing active voice when appropriate to enhance clarity and engagement. Alternatives such as "were emphasized in" or "were brought to the forefront in" can provide stylistic variation. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "were highlighted in" to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were emphasized in

Replaces "highlighted" with "emphasized", suggesting a stronger focus or importance.

were underscored in

Uses "underscored" instead of "highlighted", implying a subtle but clear emphasis.

were brought to the forefront in

Emphasizes the act of making something more prominent or visible.

were given prominence in

Focuses on the act of assigning importance or attention.

were brought into focus in

Highlights the act of clarifying or making something more distinct.

were accentuated in

Similar to "emphasized", but suggests a more stylistic or deliberate highlighting.

were made apparent in

Shifts the focus to the result of highlighting, i.e., making something clear.

were spotlighted in

Implies a more dramatic or public form of highlighting, as with a spotlight.

were foregrounded in

Similar to "brought to the forefront", but with a slightly more technical or academic tone.

drew attention to in

Active voice version which focuses on the act of drawing attention.

FAQs

How can I use "were highlighted in" in a sentence?

You can use "were highlighted in" to indicate that certain aspects or elements were emphasized or made prominent in a particular context. For example, "The key findings were highlighted in the report" or "The challenges were highlighted in the discussion".

What are some alternatives to "were highlighted in"?

Some alternatives include "were emphasized in", "were underscored in", or "were brought to the forefront in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were highlighted in"?

While "were highlighted in" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The issues were highlighted in the meeting", you could say "The meeting highlighted the issues".

What's the difference between "were highlighted in" and "were mentioned in"?

"Were mentioned in" simply indicates that something was referred to, while "were highlighted in" implies that something was given special attention or emphasis. Highlighting suggests a greater degree of importance or focus than merely mentioning.