avoid the point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is not addressing the main issue or topic at hand. Example: "In his response, he seemed to avoid the point and instead focused on unrelated details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

So, sometimes I prefer to avoid the point.

The New York Times

Tell her in a way that you don't avoid the point but give her time to think over it!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I want to help these students avoid the pain points that new engineers often face when they start out in industry," she says.

Johns Hopkins University

"If you stay in the house less than five years, you're better off paying the higher rate and avoiding the points," he said.

The New York Times

In the last integral we have carried out the integration along the contour, avoiding the points (p_{k}), determined by (16), on the left.

Advances in Difference Equations

Furthermore, as opposed to general manipulators, haptic systems cannot avoid the singular point, since they are operated by the user's random motion command.

Mechatronics

To avoid the trial point from falling into a 'valley', we also add the non-monotonic technique into the criterion.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Furthermore, the authors introduce a new concept to protect CAs and avoid the single point of failure in each cluster.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Though never short of urgency, his books usually avoid the obvious points.

The Guardian - Books

Parker's doesn't avoid the 3-point shot completely; he shot 35 from distance this season, after all, the third-highest mark of his career.

The New York Times

I have tried to make this case to PayPal several times, but I get bland responses that avoid the key points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoid the point" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or strategic sidestepping of the central issue in a discussion or argument.

Common error

Don't use "avoid the point" when you simply mean someone is mistaken or has overlooked something. This phrase implies intentional evasion, not accidental oversight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "avoid the point" is as a verb phrase. It describes an action – the act of evading or sidestepping the main issue. As Ludwig confirms, it follows standard grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid the point" is grammatically sound but relatively rare in usage. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, with usage spanning across News & Media, Science and Wiki sources. It describes the act of intentionally sidestepping the core issue in a discussion. Related phrases include "dodge the issue" and "evade the question". When using the phrase, ensure you are conveying intentional evasion, not simply a mistake or oversight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dodge the issue

Suggests a deliberate attempt to evade a difficult or sensitive topic.

evade the question

Implies skillful or strategic avoidance, especially in response to a direct inquiry.

skirt around the topic

Indicates approaching a subject indirectly or superficially, without fully engaging with it.

not get to the heart of the matter

Failing to address the central, most important aspect of an issue.

beat around the bush

Suggests talking at length without ever coming to the main point.

sidestep the matter

Implies a maneuver to avoid confrontation or direct engagement with a subject.

gloss over the details

Means to treat something as superficially or of minor importance.

miss the forest for the trees

Means to be so preoccupied with the details that you fail to see the bigger picture.

decline to address the subject

Indicates a formal refusal to discuss a particular topic.

change the subject

To start talking about something different, especially because what you are talking about is difficult or embarrassing

FAQs

What does "avoid the point" mean?

The phrase "avoid the point" means to evade or deliberately fail to address the central or most important aspect of a discussion or situation. It implies a conscious decision not to confront the core issue.

How can I use "avoid the point" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid the point" to describe someone's behavior in a conversation or argument. For example: "During the negotiation, he seemed to "dodge the issue" / "avoid the point", focusing instead on minor details."

What are some synonyms for "avoid the point"?

Synonyms for "avoid the point" include "dodge the issue", "evade the question", "skirt around the topic", and "beat around the bush".

Is it grammatically correct to say "avoid the point"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "avoid the point". Ludwig AI confirms this. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is readily understood.