able to pinpoint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to pinpoint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to identify or locate something precisely. Example: "The detective was able to pinpoint the exact location of the missing artifact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's able to pinpoint some neurosis in a single sentence.

The New York Times - Arts

No one has been able to pinpoint the reason.

The New York Times

But, just wasn't able to pinpoint what was missing".

The New York Times - Sports

Investigators have not been able to pinpoint the source.

The New York Times

Not being able to pinpoint the cause would be an even worse situation.

The Washington Post

"Now we're able to pinpoint not only specific markets but specific flights within specific markets".

The New York Times

"Nobody is able to pinpoint anything," a spokesman for the Egyptian government, Nabil Osman, said.

The New York Times

But if there is a problem, I want to be able to pinpoint it".

The New York Times

"They have not been able to pinpoint the exact location where the fire started," he said.

The New York Times

And based on that and the location, we were able to pinpoint where he was.

Cornell University

We were able to pinpoint the year and the event to the Mukden Incident of 1931.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to pinpoint" when you want to emphasize the accuracy and precision of identifying or locating something. For example, instead of saying "They found the problem", say "They were "able to pinpoint" the problem" to highlight their accuracy.

Common error

While "able to pinpoint" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in informal writing or speech where simpler alternatives like "find" or "identify" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to pinpoint" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the capability to identify or locate something with precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted. Examples show it used to describe identifying causes, locations, and problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to pinpoint" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express the capacity to identify or locate something with precision. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. It is prevalent in news, academic, and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in informal contexts where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember to reserve "able to pinpoint" for situations where accuracy and precision are paramount. Some alternatives include "capable of identifying" and "able to identify precisely", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to identify precisely

Adds "precisely" to emphasize the accuracy of the identification.

can accurately determine

Replaces "able to" with "can" and "pinpoint" with "accurately determine", highlighting the ability to find something out with accuracy.

capable of identifying

Replaces "able" with "capable" and "pinpoint" with "identifying", focusing on the capability to recognize something.

successful in locating

Highlights the success in finding the exact location.

in a position to specify

Emphasizes the act of clearly and exactly defining something.

in a position to locate accurately

Uses a more formal structure and emphasizes accurate location rather than identification.

managed to ascertain

Implies some effort was involved in discovering something.

equipped to discern

Focuses on the tools or knowledge needed for careful distinction.

succeeded in isolating

Focuses on separating a specific element or factor.

competent to diagnose

Suggests expert knowledge is being applied to identify something.

FAQs

How can I use "able to pinpoint" in a sentence?

You can use "able to pinpoint" when you want to emphasize the accuracy and precision of identifying something, as in "The scientists were "able to pinpoint" the cause of the disease".

What phrases are similar to "able to pinpoint"?

Similar phrases include "capable of identifying", "able to identify precisely", and "in a position to locate accurately".

Is it more appropriate to say "able to pinpoint" or "able to identify"?

"Able to pinpoint" suggests a higher degree of accuracy and precision than "able to identify". Use "able to pinpoint" when you want to emphasize the exactness of the identification.

In what contexts is "able to pinpoint" most appropriate?

"Able to pinpoint" is commonly used in professional, news, and scientific contexts where precision is important. For example, it might be used when discussing a scientific discovery or a detective's work.