Emphasise vs Emphasize
What’s the difference between them?
Emphasise
Meaning:
to give special emphasis, importance, or significance to something; to stress or accentuate.
Examples:
1. His speech emphasised the importance of unity.
2. She emphasised the need for more research before making a decision.
3. He emphasised that his priority was to promote the welfare of his employees.
Emphasize
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in American English.
Examples:
1. She emphasized the importance of paying attention to detail.
2. The teacher emphasized the need to complete the homework on time.
3. His speech emphasized the need for greater collaboration among team members.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Emphasise
1. Highlight
2. Stress
3. Underscore
4. Draw attention to
5. Mark up
1. Downplay
2. Underscore
3. Understate
4. Minimise
5. De-emphasise
Emphasize
1. Highlight
2. Stress
3. Underscore
4. Draw attention to
5. Mark up
1. Downplay
2. Understate
3. De-emphasize
4. Minimize
5. Diminish
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Emphasise", "Emphasize".
1. 'Emphasise' is British English.
2. 'Empasize' is American English.
3. A helpful mnemonic phrase to remember this difference is 's' for England and 'z' for the USA.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the word 'emphasise' be used?
The word 'emphasise' should be used in British English to draw attention to something or to stress its importance. For example, you might emphasise an important point during a presentation or emphasise a particular emotion in a piece of writing.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'emphasize'?
The word 'emphasize' should be used in American English to draw attention to something or to stress its importance.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, the words 'emphasise' and 'emphasize' have the same pronunciation. Both words are pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable ('em-FAH-size').
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake when using these two words is spelling one of them incorrectly in British English and vice versRemember, 'emphasise' is a British spelling and 'emphasize' is an American spelling of the same word.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. When writing essays in American universities, its important to ________ your main arguments clearly.
2. British students are often taught to ________ their points by using relevant examples.
3. The professor wants to ________ the importance of punctuality in submitting assignments.
4. In her speech at Oxford University, the lecturer tried to ________ the role of youth in todays society.
5. To make a point stand out, you should ________ it in your presentation.
6. Reading materials from New York often ________ the need for proactive measures in environmental conservation.
1. Emphasize
Explanation: The mention of American universities indicates an American context, making emphasize the correct choice.
2. Emphasise
Explanation: The use of British students provides a clear context pointing to British English, so emphasise is appropriate.
3. Emphasize/Emphasise
Explanation: This sentence lacks a specific geographical or cultural context, so both emphasize and emphasise are correct.
4. Emphasise
Explanation: The reference to Oxford University indicates a British setting, making emphasise the appropriate choice.
5. Emphasize/Emphasise
Explanation: Theres no clear context pointing to either British or American English, so both spellings are correct.
6. Emphasize
Explanation: The phrase Reading materials from New York suggests an American context, so emphasize is the correct choice.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.