Up to a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Up to a point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or valid only to a certain extent or limit. Example: "I agree with your argument up to a point, but I believe there are other factors to consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only up to a point.

The New York Times

Unobjectionable?Up to a point.

The Economist

Yes, up to a point.

The New York Times

Well, up to a point.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, up to a point, maybe.

Independent

That has worked, up to a point.

The Economist

That's true up to a point.

The Economist

This works, up to a point.

The Economist

So it does, up to a point.

The Economist

But only up to a point.

The New York Times - Sports

Their claim holds, up to a point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up to a point" to show agreement or validity with a noted exception, add a brief explanation to clarify the limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "up to a point" without specifying the limit or qualification. This can leave your statement vague and unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to a point" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express partial agreement, limitation, or qualification. Ludwig confirms that it's a grammatically sound expression. It indicates that a statement is true or valid only to a certain degree.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up to a point" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express partial agreement or to indicate that something is true only to a certain extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, predominantly in news and media contexts. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register and serves to introduce qualifications or limitations to a statement. When using "up to a point", it's essential to provide context to clarify the specific boundary or reservation you're making. Alternatives such as "to some extent" or "partially" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To a certain extent

Emphasizes the degree to which something is true or valid.

In some respects

Highlights specific aspects where agreement or truth holds.

Partially true

Directly states that something is only true in part.

With limitations

Indicates that there are restrictions or conditions to consider.

Up to a limit

Specifies that something is valid only within a certain boundary.

Not entirely

Suggests disagreement or incompleteness.

Only in part

Emphasizes the partial nature of the truth or agreement.

To a degree

Indicates that something is true or valid to some but not a great extent.

Qualifiedly

Suggests that a statement is true with certain qualifications.

With reservations

Implies that there are concerns or doubts about a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "up to a point" in a sentence?

Use "up to a point" to express partial agreement or to indicate that something is true only to a certain extent. For example, "I agree with your plan, "up to a point", but I have some reservations about the budget".

What are some alternatives to saying "up to a point"?

You can use alternatives like "to some extent", "partially", or "in some respects" to convey a similar meaning. For instance, instead of "I agree "up to a point"", you could say "I agree to some extent".

Is it better to say "to a point" or "up to a point"?

"Up to a point" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "To a point" can also be used but might sound less natural in many contexts. The former implies a limit or qualification more directly.

What does "up to a point" imply about my statement?

Using "up to a point" implies that while you agree with or accept something, there's a limit to your agreement or acceptance. It suggests that you have reservations or qualifications that need to be considered.