Pinpoint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Pinpoint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to identify or locate something with precision. Example: "We need to pinpoint the exact location of the issue before we can proceed with repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This idea of using social networks to pinpoint prospective mentors is something new.

The Guardian

I can pinpoint the exact moment I lost support for John Major, for example – it was the moment when, every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was his engorged penis repeatedly penetrating Edwina Currie's moistened labia.

The Guardian

It's a hell of a pinpoint operation".

The Guardian

Passing was not always pinpoint but clearly England's most accomplished performer James Milner 5 Apparently joined Liverpool for the chance to play in central midfield but showed little to suggest he will inject the creativity and forward thrust desperately required at Anfield Raheem Sterling 5 Jeered by the crowd, caught an Irish heel in the face and dived in search of a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Jack Redden and Dayne Beams were getting plenty of the ball for the Lions, while stand-in skipper Daniel Rich had unleashed a couple of pinpoint passes.

The Guardian - Sport

Your browser can give away a lot of information about you – with some very basic analytics tools, a website can pinpoint your location, what links you've clicked, how many times you've visited in the past and even track your cursor movements.

The Guardian - Tech

It's tough for him to pinpoint a favourite place, as his top spot keeps changing.

The Guardian

In the future, the agency intends to focus its activities geographically, with illegal logging and timber trade inquiries centred on the Americas, efforts to protect wildlife species – particularly tigers – undertaken in Asia, pollution investigations that pinpoint Europe, and a crackdown on the poaching of elephants and rhinos in Africa.

The Guardian

I can pinpoint the moment that I realised quite how awful it had all been, and began to regain the optimism and joie de vivre that I hadn't even realised I had lost.

The Guardian

As Simon Frith, the chair of the judges, noted last week: "For some of these artists it is quite difficult to pinpoint what genre they represent… artists are not constrained by marketing labels any more".

The Guardian - Music

Harf also addressed secretary of state Kerry's comments caught on an open microphone on Sunday, calling Israel's Operation Protective Edge one "hell of a pinpoint operation".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pinpoint" when precision and accuracy are important, especially when locating a specific source or cause.

Common error

Avoid using "pinpoint" in overly casual situations where simpler terms like "find" or "locate" would suffice. The word implies a level of accuracy that might be unnecessary or sound unnatural in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Pinpoint" is as a transitive verb, requiring an object to complete its meaning, such as "pinpoint the location". Ludwig examples show how it's used to identify with precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "Pinpoint" is a versatile verb used to express the act of identifying or locating something with great precision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, notably in news, business, and science. While highly useful for emphasizing accuracy, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Consider related phrases like "identify precisely" or "locate exactly" to vary your vocabulary. Remember to use "Pinpoint" when precision is key, but avoid overuse in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Identify precisely

Focuses on the act of identifying with a high degree of accuracy.

Locate exactly

Emphasizes the act of finding the precise location of something.

Determine accurately

Highlights the determination aspect, stressing the correctness of the finding.

Ascertain specifically

Implies a process of inquiry to find out something definite and particular.

Establish precisely

Suggests setting something firmly in place through accurate identification.

Figure out exactly

More informal, indicating a problem-solving approach to precise identification.

Delineate clearly

Focuses on marking or defining something with clarity and precision.

Detect accurately

Emphasizes the discovery aspect with a focus on accuracy.

Diagnose precisely

More specific to identifying the precise nature of a condition or problem.

Zero in on

Idiomatic expression meaning to focus attention sharply on something.

FAQs

How can I use "Pinpoint" in a sentence?

"Pinpoint" can be used as a verb to describe the act of identifying something precisely, such as "The investigators tried to pinpoint the source of the flames." It can also be an adjective, as in "pinpoint accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "Pinpoint"?

You can use alternatives like "identify precisely", "locate exactly", or "determine accurately" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "pinpoint the problem" or "identify the problem"?

"Pinpoint the problem" implies a higher level of accuracy and specificity in identifying the issue compared to simply "identify the problem". Use "pinpoint" when you want to emphasize the precision of the identification.

What is the difference between "pinpoint" and "discover"?

"Discover" implies finding something new or previously unknown, while "pinpoint" suggests locating or identifying something with precision that may already be known in a general sense.