at what point

USAGE SUMMARY

"at what point" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to make a direct inquiry about a specific moment in time. For example: "At what point did you notice the error?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At what point did metabolism heat up?

Encyclopedia Britannica

At what point was that normalized?

The New York Times

At what point is it not embarrassing?

The New York Times - Sports

At what point did you join?

Independent

At what point did that change?

The New York Times - Arts

At what point is the line crossed?

Independent

At what point did you invent her?

The New York Times

At what point is that?

The New Yorker

If so, at what point?

The New York Times

What do you measure at what point?

Stanford University

At what point is he tempting fate?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at what point", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the subject or process you are referring to. For example, instead of "At what point did it change?", use "At what point did the policy change?".

Common error

Avoid using "at what point" when a general timeframe or duration is more appropriate. For example, instead of "At what point was the project completed?", consider using "When was the project completed?" if the precise moment is not crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at what point" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase, typically used to inquire about a specific moment or stage in time when an event occurred or a condition changed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct and direct way to seek clarity on a particular moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at what point" is a versatile interrogative tool used to pinpoint specific moments of change or realization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate across various contexts. Predominantly featured in News & Media sources, its function is to elicit precise temporal information. When employing "at what point", clarity is crucial; ensure the context is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. While widely accepted, remember that alternatives like "at what stage" or "at what time" may be more appropriate depending on the desired level of temporal specificity. Steer clear of using it when seeking general timeframes rather than precise moments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at what juncture

Replaces 'point' with 'juncture', implying a critical or significant moment.

at what stage

Substitutes 'point' with 'stage', focusing on a phase in a process or development.

at what time

Replaces 'point' with 'time', directly asking for a specific moment on the clock or in a schedule.

at what moment

Emphasizes a brief, specific instance rather than a period or phase.

at which time

A more formal alternative using 'which time' instead of 'what point'.

at which stage

A more formal variation using 'which' to specify a particular phase.

up to what time

Focuses on the duration leading to a specific moment.

until when

Simplifies the question to find an ending time or deadline.

by when

Asks for a deadline or the latest acceptable time for something.

how far along

Shifts the focus from time to progress or advancement in a process.

FAQs

How can I use "at what point" in a sentence?

Use "at what point" to ask about a specific moment when something happened or changed. For instance, "At what point did you realize you needed help?"

What are some alternatives to using "at what point"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "at what stage", "at what time", or "at what moment" to inquire about a specific time or phase.

Is there a difference between "at what point" and "at what time"?

"At what point" often implies a specific juncture or turning point in a process or event, while "at what time" is a more general inquiry about a specific moment on a clock or schedule. The choice depends on whether you are interested in a specific incident or a time.

When is it inappropriate to use "at what point"?

Avoid using "at what point" when you're looking for a duration or general timeframe rather than a specific instant. For example, use "When did the project start?" instead of "At what point did the project start?" if you don't need to know the precise moment it began.