emphasize
verb OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
/ˈemfəsaɪz/
(British English also emphasise)
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they emphasize | /ˈemfəsaɪz/ /ˈemfəsaɪz/ |
| he / she / it emphasizes | /ˈemfəsaɪzɪz/ /ˈemfəsaɪzɪz/ |
| past simple emphasized | /ˈemfəsaɪzd/ /ˈemfəsaɪzd/ |
| past participle emphasized | /ˈemfəsaɪzd/ /ˈemfəsaɪzd/ |
| -ing form emphasizing | /ˈemfəsaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈemfəsaɪzɪŋ/ |
- to give special importance to something synonym stress
- emphasize something His speech emphasized the importance of attracting industry to the town.
- The report emphasizes the need for economic stability.
- She emphasized the point in an interview at the weekend.
- emphasize that… She emphasized that their plan would mean sacrifices and hard work.
- emphasize how, what, etc… He emphasized how little was known about the disease.
- it must/should be emphasized that… It should be emphasized that this is only one possible explanation.
- + speech ‘This must be our top priority,’ he emphasized.
Language Bank emphasisemphasisHighlighting an important point- This case emphasizes/highlights the importance of honest communication between managers and employees.
- Effective communication skills are essential/crucial/vital.
- It should be noted that this study considers only verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is not dealt with here.
- It is important to remember that/An important point to remember is that non-verbal communication plays a key role in getting your message across.
- Communication is not only about the words you use but also your body language and, especially/above all, the effectiveness with which you listen.
- I would like to draw attention to the role of listening in effective communication.
- Choose your words carefully: in particular, avoid confusing and ambiguous language.
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must learn to listen as well as to speak.
Extra Examples- All the arguments serve to emphasize the controversy surrounding this disease.
- I have been at pains to emphasize the positive aspects of discipline.
- I must emphasize that this is only a summary, and the full report will not be available until next week.
- It is important to emphasize this point.
- The new law rightly emphasizes parental responsibility.
- The foreign minister was at great pains to emphasize the role that Spain could play in the region.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- clearly
- heavily
- strongly
- …
- must
- should
- be important to
- …
- emphasize something to make something easier to notice
- She swept her hair back from her face to emphasize her high cheekbones.
- The rising tone of his voice emphasized his panic.
- emphasize something to give extra force to a word or phrase when you are speaking, especially to show that it is important
- ‘Let nothing… nothing,’ he emphasized the word, ‘tempt you.’
Synonyms stressstressemphasizeThese words both mean to give extra force to a syllable, word or phrase when you are saying it.- stress to give extra force to a word or syllable when saying it:
- You stress the first syllable in ‘happiness’.
- emphasize to give extra force to a word or phrase when saying it, especially to show that it is important:
- ‘Let nothing … nothing,’ he emphasized the word, ‘tempt you.’