What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
underscore
Example
The speaker underscored the importance of teamwork in achieving success. [underscored: past tense]
Example
Please underscore the key points in your presentation. [underscore: verb]
score
Example
She received a perfect score on her math test. [score: noun]
Example
He scored the winning goal in the soccer match. [scored: past tense]
Example
Can you read sheet music and understand the different scores? [scores: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Score is more commonly used than underscore in everyday language. Score is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while underscore is less common and usually used in written or spoken language to emphasize a particular point.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between underscore and score?
Underscore is typically associated with a formal tone, while score can be used in both formal and informal contexts.