We would like to highlight

Grammatically, this phrase is quite friendly because it usually leads directly into a noun or a that clause. You can say, We would like to highlight our recent growth, or you can get a bit more descriptive with We would like to highlight that our users are staying on the app longer. Notice how the word would adds a layer of politeness. Without it, We want to highlight sounds a bit more demanding. The like to part makes it a request for the audience's attention rather than an order. Pro-tip: don't use the word on after it. A very common mistake is saying highlight on. In English, you highlight something, you don't highlight "on" it. It’s like a direct hit with a spotlight. No extra prepositions needed! Also, while it uses We, you can use it in a solo presentation to represent your company or project. If you're a freelancer, the We can even just refer to you and your professional brand. It sounds much more official than I want to show you.

This is definitely a "suit and tie" phrase. You’ll find it in annual reports, LinkedIn corporate updates, and high-stakes board meetings. If you used this while texting your best friend about a new Netflix show, they might think you’ve been replaced by a corporate robot. However, in the right context—like a job interview or a project pitch—it makes you sound incredibly polished and prepared. It sits right in the "Formal" to "Very Formal" category. It’s the kind of language used by people who have their LinkedIn notifications turned on and actually read the Terms and Conditions. It’s perfect for when you want to sound like you have your life together, even if your desk is covered in empty coffee cups. Think of it as the linguistic equivalent of wearing a freshly ironed shirt for a video call.

You’ll see this all over professional spaces. Imagine a company newsletter from a brand like Apple or Spotify. They might write, We would like to highlight our new privacy features. They aren't just telling you the features exist; they are making a statement about their importance. On LinkedIn, a CEO might post, We would like to highlight the incredible work of our engineering team this quarter. It turns a simple "thank you" into a formal recognition. Even in the world of travel vlogging, a creator might use a slightly softened version in a sponsored segment: I’d like to highlight the battery life of this camera. It signals to the viewer that the following information is a key selling point. In academia, you’ll find it in the introduction of research papers to point out the specific gap the study is filling. It’s the universal "Pay Attention" sign of the professional world.

Use this when the stakes are high and clarity is king. If you’re giving a presentation and you reach the "Conclusion" slide, this phrase is your best friend. It helps you summarize without sounding repetitive. It’s also great for cover letters. I would like to highlight my three years of experience in project management sounds much more confident than I also have experience. Use it when you are providing feedback to a team member and want to start with the positives: First, we would like to highlight your excellent communication during the crisis. It sets a constructive, professional tone. It’s also useful in customer service emails when you want to make sure the client doesn't miss a specific instruction or a deadline. Basically, if it’s important enough to be written in bold, it’s important enough to be introduced with this phrase.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not use this in your Tinder bio. I would like to highlight my ability to cook 2-minute noodles in 90 seconds is funny, but maybe too much. Avoid it in casual settings where "Look at this" or "Check this out" would work better. If you’re at a bar with friends and you want to show them a funny meme, saying I would like to highlight this image will get you some very weird looks. Also, don't use it for things that are actually trivial. If you say We would like to highlight that the office stapler is now blue, your coworkers will wonder why you're wasting their time with such formal language for a minor detail. It’s a powerful tool; don’t use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Keep it for the big moments when you really need people to focus.

The absolute king of mistakes here is adding on. ✗ We would like to highlight on the issues. → ✓ We would like to highlight the issues. In English, highlight is a transitive verb that takes a direct object. Another one is forgetting the like to. ✗ We would highlight... This actually changes the meaning to a conditional statement (something you *would* do if something else happened). Another slip-up is using it for physical highlighting. If you’re literally using a yellow marker on a book, you just say I’m highlighting the text. Using the full phrase I would like to highlight this text makes it sound like you're about to give a speech about the sentence you just colored. Finally, watch out for overusing it. If you "highlight" ten things in one email, nothing is actually highlighted anymore. It’s like a book where every single line is covered in yellow ink—you can't see what's actually important.

If We would like to highlight feels a bit too stiff, you can try We’d like to point out. It’s slightly more neutral but still professional. If you want to sound even more serious, use We would like to emphasize. This implies that the point is not just visible, but deeply significant. For a more modern, tech-savvy vibe, you might say We want to spotlight. This is common in marketing and creative industries. If you are in a legal or very traditional academic setting, you might hear We would like to underscore. It sounds very intellectual, like you’re wearing elbow patches on a tweed jacket. On the flip side, in a semi-formal Slack message, you might just say Just wanted to flag... which is the digital-era cousin of highlighting. It’s faster and less formal but serves the same purpose of drawing attention.

Is I would like to highlight okay to use? Yes, absolutely! Use I if you are speaking for yourself and We if you are representing a team or a company. How is it different from mention? To mention something is just to say it. To highlight something is to give it special importance and make sure it’s noticed. Can I use it in an essay? Yes, it’s a great way to introduce your main thesis or a key piece of evidence in a formal academic paper. Does it sound too arrogant? Not at all. As long as you use it for genuinely important points, it comes across as clear and organized, which people usually appreciate in professional settings.