The Plural of Emphasis: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Here is a brief explanation of how to use the word emphasis and the plural form of the word in the English Language. Let’s go over the meaning of the word emphasis, its plural form, the history and origin of the word, synonyms, examples of the word used in a sentence, and more information. Next time you go to use the word emphasis you will be an expert.

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What Is the Definition of Emphasis?

The word emphasis means:

  • force or intensity of expression that gives impressiveness or special attention to something
  • a particular phonetic prominence or forcefulness given in reading or speaking to one or more words or syllables and consonants
  • special importance of or stress or insistence on something

What Is the Plural Form of Emphasis?

The plural noun of the noun emphasis is emphases. There is no other acceptable English plural form for the word. This follows the standard rule in English of changing the is to es to make a word plural — for example, different emphases. 

Examples of Emphatic Sentences

The emphatic form is made using the auxiliary verb do with the base form of the verb.

“I don’t owe you any money.”

“No, according to the terms of our agreement, you do owe me money.”

Another example:

“She doesn’t study very hard.”

“I disagree — she does study hard.”

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You can use the emphatic form in the following tenses:

Past emphatic: “I did send him the package.”

Present emphatic: “I do enjoy a good burger.”

Future emphatic: “I will follow up with her today.”

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You can also use adverbs as emphasizers:

“She literally stopped in the middle of the road.”

“I really think you’re overreacting.”

<h3>The History and Origin of the Word</h3>

Originally from Greek, then to the Latin language, emphainein which meant to indicate. The first time that we can see the word being used was in 1534. 

Synonyms of the Word Emphasis From a Thesaurus

  • Accent – an effort in speech to stress one syllable over adjacent syllables
  • Accentuation – to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
  • Stress – constraining force or influence, intensity of utterance given to a speech sound, syllable, or word producing relative loudness
  • Underscoring – to draw a line under, to make evident, to provide (action on film) with accompanying music
  • Weight – the amount that a thing weighs, a quantity or thing weighting a fixed and usually specified amount, overpowering force

Example Sentences of the Word in Context

Summary

Now you are an expert on all things related to the word of the day, emphasis. Next time you need to write the word emphasis, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to do it efficiently. 

Sources:

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emphasis
  2. https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-cork-denied-0828-20200827-5v6jzbkhw5bepkqh6sa4sbg3r4-story.html
  3. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2020/08/26/nate-mcmillan-fired-six-candidates-pacers-coaching-opening/3444116001/
  4. https://www.courant.com/sports/connecticut-sun/hc-sp-connecticut-sun-new-york-liberty-20200823-20200823-tim3ynaz7fhzlm5xo6rbg4zlu4-story.html
  5. https://www.chron.com/cars/article/Tacoma-rolls-out-special-editions-for-2021-model-15505866.php
  6. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-et-wonderworks-education-virtual-learning-homeschool-20200820-q4udcls4dbhzlcwqirl3zem5i4-story.html
  7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/konrad-steffen-renowned-swiss-climate-scientist-dies-at-68/2020/08/12/8c075f26-dbe7-11ea-8051-d5f887d73381_story.html
  8. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2020-08-08/black-students-uc-san-diego
  9. https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-examples-of-emphatic-sentences
  10. https://video.foxnews.com/v/5330601959001/nj-parents-concerned-about-islam-emphasis-in-curriculum