a point of leverage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a point of leverage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a strategic advantage or a means to influence a situation or outcome. Example: "In negotiations, having a point of leverage can significantly improve your chances of reaching a favorable agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"They will use political stuff as a point of leverage – whatever tools they have at their disposal".

The Guardian

Line authority over someone on your team is a point of leverage but its effect may be limited.

Harvard Business Review

None of this has prevented both Koreas from using the industrial park as a point of leverage in the showdown over the Cheonan.

The New York Times

Maintaining tight relationships with the device makers will be crucial to SanDisk's future as those companies look to use memory as a point of leverage, Mr. Harari said.

The New York Times - Tech

The US - which is leading efforts to isolate Iran, accusing it of seeking to build nuclear weapons - said Iran's petrol imports were a point of "leverage".

The Guardian

What this means is that Rosenstein is as significant a point of leverage over the investigation as Mueller — if not more so.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

How does one turn a digital asset into a powerful point of leverage?

Forbes

The New York Times on July 5: "White House advisers have discussed a potential point of leverage over their adversary, a senior administration official said: a pending merger between CNN's parent company, Time Warner, and AT&T.

The Washington Post

Yesterday, the New York Times reported that "White House advisers have discussed a potential point of leverage over their adversary [CNN], a senior administration official said: a pending merger between CNN's parent company, Time Warner and AT&T".

Huffington Post

"That, I believe, is a major point of leverage".

The New York Times

In this context, I have yet to meet any significant western political figure from beyond our shores who can understand why Britain would even contemplate leaving the European Union, which is now a key point of leverage for this country in the modern world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a point of leverage", clearly define what the leverage is and how it can be used to influence the situation. For instance, "Their expertise in data analysis provided a point of leverage in negotiations."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a point of leverage" guarantees a specific outcome. It represents a potential advantage, but success depends on how effectively it's applied. For example, having market share is a point of leverage, but poor strategy can negate its benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a point of leverage" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that provides influence or advantage. The Ludwig AI examples showcase this in various contexts, such as political strategy, business negotiations, and personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a point of leverage" is a noun phrase indicating a strategic advantage or source of influence, frequently used in news, academic, and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. While alternatives like "an advantage" or "a strategic asset" exist, "a point of leverage" specifically highlights the means by which influence can be exerted. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the nature and application of the leverage is essential, avoiding assumptions of guaranteed outcomes. Its versatile nature makes it suitable for both formal and neutral registers, enhancing precision in describing strategic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an advantage

Focuses on having a beneficial position but is less specific about how it's used for influence.

a strategic asset

Highlights the value of something used for planning and achieving goals.

a position of strength

Emphasizes the power derived from a particular circumstance.

a means of control

Highlights the element of power and authority in a situation.

a bargaining chip

Implies something used specifically in negotiations to gain an advantage.

a key factor

Highlights the importance of something in achieving a desired outcome.

a decisive element

Underscores that the 'point' in question is pivotal in determining an outcome.

an influential factor

Emphasizes the capacity to have an effect on developments or behavior.

a tactical advantage

Emphasizes its usefulness for a particular short term goal.

an exploitable resource

Highlights the potential to use something to one's own benefit, sometimes with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a point of leverage" to describe an advantage or something that gives you influence in a situation. For example: "Their strong network provided "a point of leverage" during the merger negotiations."

What can I say instead of "a point of leverage"?

You can use alternatives like "an advantage", "a strategic asset", or "a position of strength", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "point of leverage" without the article "a"?

While "point of leverage" can be understood, it's grammatically more correct and stylistically preferred to use the article "a" or "the" before it. For example, "This is a point of leverage" is better than "This is point of leverage."

How is "a point of leverage" different from "a bargaining chip"?

While both terms relate to advantage, ""a point of leverage"" generally refers to a broader source of influence. A "a bargaining chip" is specifically something offered or used in negotiation to reach an agreement.