at the point of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at the point of' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to express the idea of something happening shortly before, at, or after a particular point in time, or an event. For example: We were expected to make a decision at the point of the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Are we at the point of implosion?

The New York Times

I'm at the point of committing suicide".

The New York Times

"I'm at the point of being average".

The New York Times - Sports

France said Assad was at the point of no return.

The Guardian

He is strong at the point of attack.

The New York Times - Sports

They rule at the point of a gun.

The New York Times

And it is free at the point of delivery.

The Guardian - Opinion

So here we are, at the point of fracture.

The Guardian

Adam was at the point of packing his bags.

The Guardian - Books

"We are at the point of no return".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, engagement should not stop at the point-of-sale.

Global health, science and practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the point of" to clearly indicate a specific stage, time, or condition within a broader context. This helps provide clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at the point of" to describe static locations. Instead, reserve it for instances where a specific action or event occurs in relation to a particular stage or time. For describing general locations, use 'at' or 'in'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the point of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a specific time, stage, or condition related to an event. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role in specifying a particular instance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the point of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a particular moment, stage, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It serves to provide precision and clarity, making it valuable in both formal and informal communications. When writing, it's best to reserve its usage to indicate a particular instance in time, location, or condition. Alternatives include "at the moment of" and "at the stage of" depending on the context. The frequency of the expression is very common according to Ludwig's analysis of the sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the moment of

Replaces "point" with "moment", focusing on a specific instant.

at the stage of

Substitutes "point" with "stage", emphasizing a phase in a process.

at the verge of

Highlights being close to a specific state or event.

at the time of

Focuses on a specific temporal reference.

upon the instance of

A more formal substitute, indicating something happening immediately after.

right before

Indicates immediacy and close temporal proximity.

just prior to

Highlights a slightly more formal tone, focusing on temporal precedence.

in the process of

Emphasizes ongoing action rather than a static point.

when

Simplified alternative to introduce a clause related to the moment an action happened

as

Indicates simultaneity, replacing the point with a concurrent event.

FAQs

How can I use "at the point of" in a sentence?

Use "at the point of" to specify a particular moment, stage, or condition in relation to an action or event. For example, "We made the decision "at the point of the deadline"".

What are some alternatives to "at the point of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "at the moment of", "at the stage of", or "at the verge of".

Is it correct to say "in the point of" instead of "at the point of"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "at". "At the point of" is the standard and grammatically correct form. Using "in" would be ungrammatical.

What is the difference between "at the point of" and "on the point of"?

"At the point of" specifies a particular moment or stage, while "on the point of" indicates being about to do something. For example, "He was "on the point of" leaving" means he was about to leave.