'Emphasize Something' or 'Emphasize on Something'? | Mastering Grammar

(Last Updated: 26 February 2024)

Image Credit: Stand News (now defunct)

Emphasize or Emphasize On: Which One Is Correct?

The verb emphasize (also spelt emphasise in British English) is not used with the preposition on. It is a transitive verb, meaning that it takes a direct object:

✅ We emphasize security.
❌ We emphasize on security.

✅ The report emphasizes the need for political stability.
❌ The report emphasizes on the need for political stability.

✅ We need to emphasize the critical role of insurance and the value it creates for society.
❌ We need to emphasize on the critical role of insurance and the value it creates for society.

Instead of emphasize something, you can also say put/lay/place emphasis on something:

✅ We put emphasis on security.

✅ Our online course lays emphasis on group work.

✅ Schools in Hong Kong place great emphasis on grammar teaching.

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Examples from the Media

When politicians are asked to set out what they consider to be core British values, they invariably emphasise abstract concepts such as tolerance, freedom, belief in personal responsibility, mutual respect and fairness—all admirable in themselves but not unique to these shores. —The Telegraph (2014)

The federal government's new "digital charter" will emphasize Canadians' control over their own personal information and promises "strong enforcement" of transnational internet giants that break the law. —Toronto Star (2019)

Commonly, these mayors have bridged racial differences in their cities, established ties to neighboring suburbs, and put emphasis on economic revival. —The Washington Post (1998)

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes touched a nerve when, in an address to a Sydney girls' school, he criticised the current heavy emphasis on STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—to the exclusion of others, particularly the humanities. —The Age (2018)

Recommended Further Reading

'Stress Something' or 'Stress on Something'?

Other Real-World Examples of Misuse

1. We can put emphasis on something, or we can emphasize it, but we cannot emphasize on it.
2. We say find the main idea, not find out the main idea.
3. Etc. means 'and other similar things'. Since the meaning of the abbreviation already has an and, it is redundant to add another and.
4. It is the students who will be doing the practice and not the teachers.
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(Image Source: 香港中學文憑試 : 英文星級句子全攻略)