Emphasizing

An Effective Writing Skill 

Often we need to emphasize or de-emphasize something. To do this we use some words that have the ability to do so. We can also use some structures - that is, we can rearrange the elements of a sentence to do the same. 

Read the following sentences.

1. (a) I touched it.

(b) I only touched it.

2. (a) I touched that button.

(b) I touched only that button.

Or, I touched that button only.

3. (a) I need a haircut.

(b) I badly need a haircut

[It has become urgent.] 

4. (a) I reject your accusation.

(b) I utterly reject your accusation

5. (a) I resent your criticism.

(b) I deeply/bitterly/very much/strongly 

resent your criticism.

6. (a) I remember the day.

(b) I definitely/clearly/certainly remember the day. 

7. (a) It happened.

(b) It actually happened.

The sentences marked (b) are more emphatic than the ones marked (a). This is due to the use of some words called emphatic words. 
A list of such words is given below :
really
honestly
surely
highly
clearly
indeed
obviously
plainly
definitely
certainly
actually
for certain 
of course
for sure
frankly
literally
simply
just
fairly

These words are used mainly to emphasize the meaning of the word or phrase or clause following it; they tell nothing more about that word or phrase or clause. Examples have been shown in the preceding paragraph. Some more examples, however, follow:

I can't understand it.

— I just/simply can't understand it.

I don't believe it.

— I really/simply/literally don't believe it.

He said so.

— He actually/really/indeed said so. 

Now Use What You've Learnt

Use emphasizers in the blanks.

1. He — said this. But I don't — believe him. It's — all a hoax. If, however, he tells you that again, — deny him.

ANSWER: He really said this. But I don't simply believe him. It's obviously all a hoax. If, however, he tells you that again, simply/plainly deny him.

2. I  — bought the book. But at the first reading I realized that it — contained nothing important. So I must say it will — be of no use to you.

ANSWER: I really bought the book. But at the first reading | realized that it actually contained nothing important. So I must say it will certainly be of no use to you.

3. I — admire your initiative. You — deserve praise. 

ANSWER: I honestly admire your initiative. You do/surely/ certainly/actually deserve praise.