a few points back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few points back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something mentioned earlier in a discussion or text, indicating a previous point or argument. Example: "As I mentioned a few points back, the data suggests a significant trend in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Allegra got a few points back in the third set, then won the fourth session 75 imps to 11 to take a 23-imp lead.

The New York Times

"We've crawled a few points back in the Championship but even as a team we are still very disappointed".

BBC

"We are trying to get momentum, trying to gather pace and hopefully we can claw a few points back to try and get in the automatics and cement a play-off place". Match ends, Portsmouth 1, Carlisle United 0. Second Half ends, Portsmouth 1, Carlisle United 0. Substitution, Portsmouth.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Freeman makes a few points to back up his view.

Forbes

After FBI director James Comey complained that Clinton showed "gross negligence" regarding her emails, Clinton's poll numbers dropped by a few points, though they've bounced back since.

The Guardian

In other words, it's more important that he stabilize his job approval rating at the current levels (CNN just released a poll with 55percentt job approval for Obama) than it would be to get a transitory bump of a few points which then immediately falls back.

Huffington Post

Interest rates have fallen from sky-high levels, even if recent market turbulence has forced them back up a few points.

The Economist

The pundits have written me off... Obama is measuring the drapes... [We're] a few points down, but we're coming back..

The Guardian

"It's not a good idea for parents to take a finding that 3-year-olds' school readiness scores are a few points lower if the mother goes back to work early, and say that means the mother should stay home for a year.

The New York Times

(Then it bounced back up a few points, and is now dropping again, perhaps due to vegan outreach).

Huffington Post

But whereas comebacks allowed the Cougars to get back within a few points in the first and nearly take the second game, Glendale Adventist was able to mount little fight in the third.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few points back" to smoothly transition back to previously mentioned topics in discussions or writing, creating coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "a few points back" interchangeably between literal scoring contexts (sports, games) and abstract discussions without clarifying the shift in meaning. Ensure your audience understands the intended context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few points back" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a reference to a prior event, statement, or position. It is typically used to denote a return to a previous state or topic, or the act of recovering a small portion of what was lost. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

General Discussion

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few points back" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to refer to something discussed earlier, or to indicate a slight recovery or reduction in deficit. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it can be used to transition between topics or illustrate incremental progress. While its register leans towards neutral, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Sports contexts. Consider using alternative phrases like ""earlier in the discussion"" or "to regain lost ground" for greater precision or formality depending on the context. Remember to maintain consistency in your references and context when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to claw back some points

Highlights effort and difficulty in recovering points.

earlier in the discussion

Focuses on time in conversation rather than explicit scores.

as stated before

Directly refers to a prior statement.

as previously mentioned

Highlights that something was already said.

to make up ground

Focuses on catching up to a leader, with an emphasis on movement.

to regain lost ground

Emphasizes recovering from setbacks rather than a simple return.

to narrow the gap

Indicates reducing a difference or deficit, rather than a return.

to recoup some losses

Suggests recovering something that was lost, not necessarily points.

in retrospect

Focuses on looking back and considering past events.

looking back

Highlights the act of remembering a past moment.

FAQs

How can I use "a few points back" in a sentence?

You can use "a few points back" to refer to an earlier part of a discussion, or to describe a team or player recovering some points in a game. For example, "As I mentioned "earlier in the discussion", this approach is key." or "The team managed to "claw back some points" in the second half".

What's a similar phrase to "a few points back"?

Similar phrases include "as previously mentioned", ""earlier in the discussion"", or "to regain lost ground", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a few points back"?

It's appropriate when referring to something discussed or mentioned earlier in a conversation or text, or when describing a team or individual narrowing a score gap in a game or competition.

Can "a few points back" be used in formal writing?

While usable, it leans towards neutral to informal usage. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "as stated before" or specify the exact point in the text you're referencing.