a point of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a point of course" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize an obvious or accepted point, but it is better to clarify the meaning. Example: "When discussing the importance of teamwork, it's a point of course that collaboration leads to better results."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Up to a point, of course.

The Economist

They had a point, of course.

The New Yorker

Both senators have a point, of course.

The Washington Post

They had a point, of course.

The New Yorker

Presenting the "New World" Symphony made a point, of course.

The New York Times - Arts

The cops have a point, of course, but there's no fun in insurance, which Mr. Incredible and his admirers know.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

At a certain point, of course, a loving re-creation of something tawdry isn't all that different from the original.

The New Yorker

(It is a moot point, of course, whether the creation of a building containing a £140m penthouse contributes to the welfare of society, a point to which we shall return).

The Guardian - Arts

If we do not publish the technology ourselves, others will do it in the future (and, contrary to us, they might have bad intentions, maybe hiding it from a part of the population)." It's a fair point of course.

TechCrunch

It's a valid point of course, but Easton's observation did have a touch of the Today loftiness about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a fair point, of course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a point of course", ensure the context makes it clear what point is being referred to, especially if it's not explicitly stated in the sentence. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "a point of course" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Opt for more varied phrasing to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a point of course" functions as an acknowledgment or reiteration of something presumed to be obvious or already understood. It often serves to transition or concede a point in an argument or discussion. This is supported by Ludwig’s examples where it is used to highlight self-evident aspects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a point of course" is a phrase used to acknowledge or emphasize a point that is considered self-evident or generally understood. Ludwig AI suggests that while grammatically acceptable, the phrase may not always be the most elegant. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, serving to build rapport or transition between ideas. For clearer and more engaging writing, alternatives such as "of course", "obviously", or "naturally" might be preferable. While it appears in professional writing, "a point of course" is better to consider "of course", "obviously" or "naturally".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously

Single-word adverb that directly conveys the obviousness of a statement.

of course

Removes "a point", focusing on the self-evident nature of the statement.

naturally

Similar to "of course", implying something is expected or logical.

it stands to reason

More formal way of indicating that something is logical and self-evident.

it goes without saying

Highlights that something is so obvious it doesn't need to be stated.

as a matter of course

Implies that something is a standard or routine practice.

undoubtedly

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of doubt surrounding a statement.

it is understood

Highlights an implicit agreement or understanding of a situation.

self-evidently

Highlights the evident nature of the statement.

assuredly

Emphasizes the certainty and conviction in a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "a point of course" in a sentence?

You can use "a point of course" to acknowledge something obvious or already understood. For example: "The importance of regular exercise is "a point of course", but many people still struggle to make time for it."

What are some alternatives to saying "a point of course"?

Alternatives include "obviously", "of course", or "naturally", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a point of course"?

While not the most elegant phrasing, "a point of course" is generally considered acceptable in informal contexts, although it might be better to rephrase for clarity and conciseness in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "a point of course"?

It's most appropriate when referring to something that's generally known or accepted, but it is important to be brief and concise while writing. Consider /s/obviously, /s/naturally or /s/of+course instead for stronger clarity.