What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
underlining
Example
I always underline the main points in my notes. [underline: verb]
Example
The teacher underlined the mistakes in red ink. [underlined: past tense]
highlighting
Example
I like to highlight important information in yellow. [highlight: verb]
Example
The editor highlighted the changes in green. [highlighted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Highlighting is more commonly used than underlining in digital documents and on-screen reading. However, underlining is still commonly used in academic and formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between underlining and highlighting?
Underlining is typically associated with a more formal tone, while highlighting is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
