Basic Details
Word: Emphasis
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Special importance or attention given to something, or extra force put on a word or part of a word when speaking.
Synonyms: stress, importance, weight, attention
How to Spell Emphasis
Syllables: em - pha - sis
Tricky part: The f sound is written ph, and the ending is -sis, as in basis. Emfasis and emphesis are common slips.
Watch out for: emfasis, emphesis, emphasys, emphisis
Memory tip: Emphasis ends in sis like basis and crisis, and its ph says f, as in phone: em + pha + sis.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our school puts great emphasis on sport.
Example 2: The coach placed emphasis on fitness before skill.
Example 3: She spoke slowly, with emphasis on every word.
Fun Fact
The plural of emphasis is emphases, said em-fa-seez, following the same pattern as crisis and crises.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to complete the word:
emph_s_s
a) e, e
b) i, i
c) a, i
d) e, i
Show answer
c) a, i. The vowels follow basis: an a before the first s, then an i before the last one.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word emphasis as used in the sentence:
The new principal laid emphasis on reading for pleasure, not just for exams.
a) stress
b) silence
c) delay
d) doubt
Show answer
a) stress. To lay emphasis on something is to stress how important it is.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt word:
1. hypothesys 2. paranthesis 3. sinopsis 4. emphasis
a) special importance given to something
b) a short summary of a story or film
c) a word or phrase added as an extra, often in brackets
d) an idea that can be tested by experiment
Show answer
a) special importance given to something. Synopsis starts with syn, hypothesis ends in -sis and parenthesis has an e after par; emphasis has no slip.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a teacher puts emphasis on neat handwriting, she ____.
a) marks it last
b) bans it in class
c) does not care about it
d) treats it as very important
Show answer
d) treats it as very important
2. When you say a word with emphasis, you ____.
a) leave it out
b) spell it aloud
c) whisper it softly
d) say it with extra force
Show answer
d) say it with extra force
