Meaning & use
emphases
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“emphases” is a form of “emphasis”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
The plural of emphasis; special importance or stress placed on particular ideas or points.
Grammar: Use 'emphases' when talking about more than one emphasis; the singular is 'emphasis'.
Patterns
- the emphases of something
- put emphases on something
- different emphases
The two reports have different emphases: one on cost, the other on quality.
Over the years, the course has shifted its emphases from theory to practice.
Her lecture placed emphases on ethics and responsibility.
Word forms
| singular | emphasis |
|---|
Common combinations
- shift the emphases
- The new curriculum shifts the emphases toward critical thinking.
- place emphases on
- The manager placed emphases on teamwork and communication.
- different emphases
- Their books have different emphases but cover similar ground.
- main emphases
- The main emphases of the plan are safety and speed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stresses
- Plural of 'stress'; often used for physical or emotional pressure, while 'emphases' is about importance given in speech or writing.
- accents
- Can mean emphases in speech or music, but also refers to pronunciation features.
Word family
- emphasize verb
- To give special importance to something.
- emphatic adjective
- Expressed with force or emphasis.
- emphatically adverb
- In a forceful or emphatic way.
Commonly confused: emphases or emphasis?
emphases vs emphasis
'Emphasis' is singular; 'emphases' is plural. Use 'emphases' only when referring to more than one.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
When referring to a single point of importance, use the singular 'emphasis'. 'Emphases' would be correct only if listing multiple distinct emphases, and 'vocabularies' is not the right plural here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “emphases”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.