Emphasizing 
Emphasizing 
1. What you say when emphasizing that something is important

I would like to  stress that  used when you  want to emphasize that something  is
important:
 I would like to stress that the research is still at an early stage.
 I  would like  to stress  that  the characters in this poem  bear no resemblance to real
people.

it should be noted that  a formal phrase  used  especially in articles and  essays,
when you want to emphasize that something is important:
 It should be noted that there are a number of alternative methods available.
 It should be noted that the general trend of increasing unemployment has continued 
over a number of years.

it is worth bearing  in mind that  used when you want to  emphasize that it is 
important to remember something when you are considering a subject:
 It is  worth bearing in mind that  90%  of the scientists  researching  herbicides in the
US are employed by chemical companies. 

crucial adjective if something is crucial, it is extremely important: 

 Burgin distinguishes between photographic theory and photographic criticism  (Burgin 
1982). This distinction is crucial.
 Factors such as  temperature and acidity  play a crucial  role  in determining how well
the process works.
crucially Crucially, it was claimed that there was an increase in childhood cancers in 
areas surrounding nuclear power stations.

vital / essential adjective if something is vital or essential, it is extremely important,
because without it there could be serious problems:
 These insects play a vital part in the food chain. 
 It is essential that the work is carried out as soon as possible. 

2. Ways of emphasizing one person or thing more than others

especially / particularly adverb:

 The climate is much colder, especially in the far north. 
 There has been a big  increase in alcohol consumption,	particularly  among  young
women.
 It is often mixed with other fibres, particularly cotton.
 He was very much influenced by Picasso, especially when he was young.

STUDY NOTE: Grammar 
Especially and particularly are usually used before a noun phrase or at the beginning 
of a clause.

in particular  used when you want  to mention one  person  or thing  that is more 
important than others or more affected by something than others:
 In the USA in particular, large numbers of ordinary citizens lost money by investing in 
internet companies. 
 The  work of  Sally Mann,  in particular, has made us question  representations of
children and childhood.
 One  of the biggest  environmental issues was  the  movement  of  hazardous waste.	In
particular, there was concern about rich, industrialized countries exporting such waste 
to poor developing countries.
STUDY NOTE: Grammar 
In particular is usually used after a noun phrase. It can also be used at the beginning of
a sentence. 

notably adverb used when saying that someone or something is an important example 
of something. Notably is a formal word, which is used especially in articles and essays:
 Some economists, most notably J. M. Keynes, recommended increasing government 
spending in times of recession, in order to stimulate the economy.
 In 1950, half the world's ships were built in the UK (notably in Liverpool, Sunderland, 
Belfast and Glasgow).

above all  used when emphasizing that something is more important than the other 
things you have mentioned:
 Cycling is not only pollution-free but also flexible, cheap, and above all, healthy.
 Try to find out if your daughter has any other worries or problems. Above all, show her 
that you care and will give her all the support and help you can.

most of all more than anyone or anything else:

 America had become an importer of copper, lead, zinc, and most of all, oil.
 Most of all, we need an approach that works.

most importantly / most significantly: 

 Perhaps	most importantly, the nation seemed to have lost its pride and its sense of
direction. 
 The  18th century was a  period  of  enormous  social change.	Most significantly, the
Agricultural Revolution drove large numbers of workers into the cities. 



3. To emphasize something

emphasize / stress	verb  [transitive] to say  firmly that  something  is particularly 
important:
 In their report, they emphasized the need for better police training.
 She stresses that death is not always the aim of those who try to commit suicide. 

highlight	verb  [transitive] to  show that something  such as a problem or fact is
particularly important, especially by providing new information about it:
 This case	highlights  some  of  the problems associated with  patients travelling  long
distances for treatment.
 Campbell is more concerned with	highlighting  the issues involved, rather than 
providing solutions.

underline / underscore verb [transitive] to show clearly that something is true:

 The  high rate  of  mortality	underlines  the need for a greater understanding  of  the
causes of the disease. 
 Studies and statistics underscore the fact that much of the country's wealth is in the
hands of a tiny minority.

draw attention to to say that something is important and needs to be considered, or
to make people realise that something is important:
 A number of writers have drawn attention to this fact.
 The study  was  one of the first  to	draw attention to  the problems  faced by  severely 
disabled adults.

point up	phrasal verb  to  write about something in a way that  shows it is very 
important:
 The report pointed up the need for more research on the subject.
