a leading point

USAGE SUMMARY

"a leading point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main or most important idea or argument in a discussion, speech, or article. For example, "The a leading point of the author's argument was that the policy was outdated and needed reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Given the exuberant nature of the lesions, their role as a leading point in an intussusception can be anticipated.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Instead of nudging the negotiations forward, though, the prisoner issue has become a leading point of contention.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the time of his graduation, he was the Pioneers' all time leading point scorer, a record he held for 25 years.

Wikipedia

As a kicker - and the leading points scorer in the tournament this season - Wilkinson is always going to have more influence.

BBC

Romo, somewhat benignly and not at all surprisingly, has wrested away a leading talking point before Sunday's game.

The New York Times - Sports

We are putting in place the pieces we need to accelerate growth by becoming a leading starting point for users and the must buy for advertisers.

Forbes

There is no answer; there is no clean diagram of Point A leading smoothly to Point Z.

The New York Times - Magazine

First, it has led to a renaissance of an old Spanish political phenomenon, the cacique or provincial political boss, as Antonio Muñoz Molina, a leading novelist, points out.

The Economist

As Márcia Cavallari, boss of IBOPE, a leading pollster, points out, "projections are always hostage to campaign facts", such as Mr Campos's untimely demise.

The Economist

Interestingly a leading Tory pointed me towards the 31% of housing association properties occupied by a retired person.

BBC

Though the cause and illness mechanisms of GWI are largely unknown, a leading hypothesis points to the involvement of neuroinflammatory cascade possibly triggered by exposure to battlefield toxins and exacerbated by stress [ 7– 9].

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a leading point", ensure it clearly represents the most crucial aspect of your argument or discussion to maintain focus and clarity.

Common error

Avoid presenting secondary or supporting ideas as "a leading point". Ensure your 'leading point' genuinely reflects the core message, not a tangential detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leading point" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant or primary aspect within a broader context. It helps to focus attention on the most important element in a discussion, argument, or situation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a leading point" is used to highlight the central aspect of an argument, discussion, or situation. While Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct, it appears with relative infrequency. It is predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, suggesting a neutral formality level. When using "a leading point", ensure it truly represents the core message to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "a central argument" or "a key issue" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Ultimately, according to Ludwig, "a leading point" serves to guide the audience's attention to the most important element, as long as that focus is really crucial and pivotal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central argument

Replaces 'leading point' with 'central argument', focusing on the argument aspect.

a key issue

Substitutes 'leading point' with 'key issue', emphasizing the importance of the issue.

a primary focus

Replaces 'leading point' with 'primary focus', shifting the emphasis to the main area of attention.

a major theme

Changes 'leading point' to 'major theme', highlighting the recurring and significant theme.

a main contention

Uses 'main contention' instead of 'leading point', stressing the central point of disagreement or debate.

a crucial element

Replaces 'leading point' with 'crucial element', underscoring the essential nature of the element.

a pivotal aspect

Substitutes 'leading point' with 'pivotal aspect', emphasizing the turning-point quality of the aspect.

a significant factor

Changes 'leading point' to 'significant factor', pointing out an important influence or cause.

a prominent feature

Uses 'prominent feature' instead of 'leading point', focusing on a noticeable and important characteristic.

a prime consideration

Replaces 'leading point' with 'prime consideration', stressing the most important thing to consider.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a leading point" in my writing?

Use "a leading point" to introduce or emphasize the central idea, argument, or element you want your audience to focus on. For example, you might say, "A leading point of this discussion is the need for immediate action."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a leading point"?

You can use alternatives like "a key issue", "a primary focus", or "a central argument" depending on the specific context.

Is "a leading point" formal enough for academic writing?

While "a leading point" is acceptable, in more formal academic contexts, consider using phrases like "a primary consideration" or "a significant factor" for enhanced precision and formality.

How does "a leading point" differ from "a key point"?

"A leading point" emphasizes the central or most important aspect, while "a key point" simply denotes an important item or detail. The former has a stronger connotation of centrality.