My point was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My point was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify or emphasize the main idea or argument you were trying to convey in a discussion or text. Example: "During the debate, I felt my argument was misunderstood, so I reiterated, 'My point was that we need to consider the long-term effects of our actions.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My point was a different one.

The New York Times

"My point was about making the administration more effective, with fewer levels of decision making".

The New York Times

My point was that fairness is in the eye of the beholder.

The Economist

My point was that you could view this machine very differently depending on your technical background.

The New York Times - Tech

"My point was we were going to be thrown into a fire today," Edgerson said.

The New York Times - Sports

"My point was to come to grips with the nature of that threat".

The New York Times - Arts

My point was going to be that, well, you would say that, wouldn't you?

The Guardian - Opinion

My point was to shine some light on the LGBT community who I love so dearly".

The Guardian - Music

My point was that accounting for the straw poll helps you to predict the winner of the Iowa caucus.

The New York Times

My point was that the punishment was more reflective of the reaction to the incident than of the attack itself.

Independent

"My point was, right now the market is working," Mr. Northey was quoted by The Des Moines Register as saying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My point was" to succinctly reiterate your main idea after a potential misunderstanding or lengthy explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "My point was" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "In essence" or "To clarify" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My point was" functions as a discourse marker, specifically a clarifier or restatement. It signals that the speaker intends to reiterate or emphasize a previously made point. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "My point was" serves as a useful tool for clarifying or reiterating a previously stated idea. Grammatically sound and very common, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, though suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Alternatives like "What I meant was" or "To clarify" can add variety. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I meant to say was

Rephrases the clarification with an explicit reference to the speaker's intention.

Let me rephrase that

Signals an intention to restate a point for clarity.

To clarify, my intention was

Focuses on clarifying the intent behind a prior action or statement.

The crux of my argument is

Emphasizes the central or critical point of a broader argument.

I was trying to express that

Highlights the effort to convey a specific idea or message.

I am saying that

Introduces a restatement of your point.

In essence, I wanted to say

Condenses the original statement into its most fundamental meaning.

The underlying idea was

Shifts the focus to the foundational concept or principle.

My key message is

Highlights the speaker's primary takeaway.

What I'm getting at is

Emphasizes that the speaker's overall purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "My point was" in a sentence?

You can use "My point was" to reiterate or clarify your main idea. For example, "I understand you disagree with my proposal. "My point was" that this solution is the most cost-effective in the long run."

What can I say instead of "My point was"?

You can use alternatives like "What I meant was", "To clarify", or "In essence" depending on the context. For instance, instead of saying ""My point was" to highlight the importance of data security", you could say "What I meant was to highlight the importance of data security".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "My point was"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "My point was". It serves as a transitional phrase to refocus the discussion on the speaker's intended message.

What's the difference between "My point is" and "My point was"?

"My point is" is used to introduce your current or upcoming argument, while "My point was" is used to reiterate or clarify a previous statement. For example, "My point is that we need more funding for research" (introducing a new idea), versus "I explained the benefits earlier; "My point was" that it's a necessary investment" (referring to a previous point).