EMPHASIS


Meaning of EMPHASIS in English

em ‧ pha ‧ sis S3 W2 AC /ˈemfəsəs, ˈemfəsɪs/ BrE AmE noun ( plural emphases /-siːz/) [uncountable and countable]

[ Word Family: verb : ↑ emphasize ; noun : ↑ emphasis ; adverb : ↑ emphatically ; adjective : ↑ emphatic ]

[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: Greek , from emphainein 'to show' ]

1 . special attention or importance

emphasis on

In Japan there is a lot of emphasis on politeness.

put/place emphasis on something

The course places emphasis on practical work.

a change of emphasis in government policy

2 . special importance that is given to a word or phrase by saying it louder or higher, or by printing it in a special way ⇨ stress

emphasis on

The emphasis should be on the first syllable.

‘And I can assure you,’ she said with emphasis, ‘that he is innocent.’

• • •

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs

▪ put emphasis on something

We need to put greater emphasis on planning.

|

The airline is accused of placing more emphasis on profit than on safety.

▪ place/lay emphasis on something formal

The coach has placed the emphasis firmly on youth by including three teenagers in the team.

▪ give emphasis to something

Since league tables were introduced, schools have given even greater emphasis to exam results.

▪ shift the emphasis (=change the emphasis to something else)

With drug addicts, we need to shift the emphasis from punishment to treatment.

▪ add emphasis (=make an opinion or fact seem more important)

Put bullet points before each statement to add emphasis.

▪ the emphasis shifts/moves (=changes)

The emphasis is now shifting away from oil towards renewable sources of energy.

■ adjectives

▪ great emphasis

The company places great emphasis on customer care.

▪ a strong/heavy emphasis

There is a strong emphasis on research in the university.

▪ the main emphasis

The main emphasis must be on quality, not quantity.

▪ particular/special emphasis

The new legislation places particular emphasis on energy conservation.

▪ increased/increasing emphasis

Recently, there has been an increasing emphasis on creating more jobs.

▪ considerable emphasis

Most religions put considerable emphasis on the importance of marriage.

■ phrases

▪ a change of emphasis ( also a shift in emphasis )

There has been a change of emphasis in the government’s foreign policy.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.