Emphasizing in English grammar is an effective writing skill used to highlight or de-emphasize specific information within a sentence by utilizing specialized emphatic words and rearranging sentence elements.
What is Emphasizing in English Grammar?
Often we need to emphasize or de-emphasize something. To do this we use some words that have the ability to do so. We can also use some structures - that is, we can rearrange the elements of a sentence to do the same.
Read the following sentences.
- 1. (a) I touched it.
(b) I only touched it. - 2. (a) I touched that button.
(b) I touched only that button.
Or, I touched that button only. - 3. (a) I need a haircut.
(b) I badly need a haircut
[It has become urgent.] - 4. (a) I reject your accusation.
(b) I utterly reject your accusation - 5. (a) I resent your criticism.
(b) I deeply/bitterly/very much/strongly resent your criticism. - 6. (a) I remember the day.
(b) I definitely/clearly/certainly remember the day. - 7. (a) It happened.
(b) It actually happened.
Why Use Emphatic Words in Sentence Structure?
The sentences marked (b) are more emphatic than the ones marked (a). This is due to the use of some words called emphatic words.
A list of such words is given below:
- really
- honestly
- surely
- highly
- clearly
- indeed
- obviously
- plainly
- definitely
- certainly
- actually
- for certain
- of course
- for sure
- frankly
- literally
- simply
- just
- fairly
These words are used mainly to emphasize the meaning of the word or phrase or clause following it; they tell nothing more about that word or phrase or clause. Examples have been shown in the preceding paragraph. Some more examples, however, follow:
- I can't understand it.
— I just/simply can't understand it. - I don't believe it.
— I really/simply/literally don't believe it. - He said so.
— He actually/really/indeed said so.
Now Use What You've Learnt
Use emphasizers in the blanks.
1. He — said this. But I don't — believe him. It's — all a hoax. If, however, he tells you that again, — deny him.
ANSWER: He really said this. But I don't simply believe him. It's obviously all a hoax. If, however, he tells you that again, simply/plainly deny him.
2. I — bought the book. But at the first reading I realized that it — contained nothing important. So I must say it will — be of no use to you.
ANSWER: I really bought the book. But at the first reading | realized that it actually contained nothing important. So I must say it will certainly be of no use to you.
3. I — admire your initiative. You — deserve praise.
ANSWER: I honestly admire your initiative. You do/surely/ certainly/actually deserve praise.
Key Takeaways
- Emphasizing helps highlight or de-emphasize specific information in a sentence.
- Emphatic words such as really, simply, actually, and certainly increase the intensity of words, phrases, or clauses.
- Sentence structure and word placement can be rearranged to naturally change the level of emphasis.
Quick Practice
Try writing your own sentences using "actually" or "definitely" as an emphatic word, and share your sentences in the comments below!
FAQ
What is an emphasizing word in English grammar?
An emphasizing word is a term like really, simply, or actually used to strengthen or highlight the meaning of the word, phrase, or clause that follows it.
How do you make a sentence more emphatic?
You can make a sentence more emphatic by adding specific emphatic modifiers or by rearranging the elements of the sentence structure.