a point at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a point at" is not correct in standard written English.
It is often used incorrectly; the correct expression would typically be "a point to" or "a point in." Example: "She made a point at the meeting about the importance of teamwork."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(To a point, at least.

The New Yorker

"There's a point at which your life is not interesting".

The New Yorker

But there's a point at which narcissism shades into sociopathy.

The New York Times

We should have had a point at least".

The Guardian - Sport

"There is a point at which you can't go on.

The New York Times

He never made a point at anybody's expense.

The Guardian - Books

"But here I am sitting here disappointed at getting a point at Wolves and a point at Everton three days before that.

Independent

The whole on a rectangular ground tapering to a point at bottom, with white designs.

Yale University

Newly elected USG president Ella Cheng '16, center, makes a point at a December panel.

Princeton University

Is there a point at which the disease pathway becomes independent of its trigger?

Stanford University

I think that there is a point at which such a division is possible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to indicate a direction or focus, replace "a point at" with the more grammatically sound "a point to". For example, instead of "He made a point at the graph", use "He made a point to the graph".

Common error

Avoid using "at" after "point" when referring to the direction or subject of a remark. "At" typically indicates a location. Instead, use "to", "regarding", or "concerning" to correctly convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a point at" functions primarily as part of a prepositional phrase. Although commonly used, Ludwig AI indicates it's often grammatically incorrect. It attempts to specify the direction, location, or subject of something, but frequently violates standard English usage conventions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a point at" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Its usage spans from news and media to academic and scientific contexts, but it is advised to use alternatives like "a point to", "a point regarding", or "a point concerning" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. Despite its common occurrence, adherence to standard English conventions recommends avoiding this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a point to

This shifts the preposition to better align with standard English grammar, suggesting direction or focus.

a point in

This alternative emphasizes a specific location or stage within a process or sequence.

a point regarding

This option introduces a more formal tone, indicating a subject or matter under discussion.

a point concerning

Similar to "regarding", but with a slightly more cautionary or inquisitive implication.

a remark about

Focuses on a spoken or written statement pertaining to a specific topic.

an observation on

Highlights a noticed fact or detail related to something under scrutiny.

a comment on

Similar to "remark", but often implies a more informal or casual expression.

a note about

This highlights a brief piece of information or a simple observation.

an item on

Implies a specific entry or detail within a list or agenda.

an issue regarding

This suggests a problematic aspect or matter that requires attention or resolution.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "a point at" in my writing?

Replace "a point at" with alternatives like "a point to", "a point regarding", or "a point concerning" for better grammatical accuracy.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "a point at"?

While commonly used, "a point at" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's advisable to use alternative prepositions or rephrase the sentence for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "a point at" and "a point to"?

"A point at" often implies a location, while "a point to" typically suggests direction or focus. In most contexts where "a point at" is used, "a point to" or "a point regarding" would be more appropriate.

What are some formal alternatives to "a point at"?

For formal writing, consider using phrases like "a point regarding", "a point concerning", or "an issue regarding" to maintain a professional tone.