developing the point

USAGE SUMMARY

"developing the point" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when elaborating on an argument or idea in a discussion or essay. For example: "In this section, I will be developing the point about the importance of education." Alternative expressions include "expanding on the idea," "elaborating on the argument," and "clarifying the concept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Still, she credits the experience for honing her writing and skills, as well as developing the point of view that would come across in her later work, like her first break into writing for television.

Huffington Post

The authors wish to thank Léon Driessen for technical assistance, René van der Venne for developing the point counting software, and DIZG http://www.dizg.de for kindly processing the goat DBM.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As amortals, we may become hysterically and disablingly cautious (Larry Niven develops the point nicely in his description of the "Puppeteers" in the Ringworld science fiction novels).

The Guardian - Books

"We do feel Chekhov has a sensibility that is peculiarly English," says West, but he never gets to develop the point because Stott talks over him.

The Guardian

Ferrer was often immediately on defense and Nadal was able to develop the point successfully, winning 78 percent (11 of 14) of the deuce court second-serve points.

The New York Times

Brown did not take the chance to develop the point, but instead said there would be tough choices, adding that there would be a different profile of future capital spending.

The Guardian

But Kuhn developed the point compellingly with concrete examples and with a social-psychological language that enabled a range of readers to grasp the function of provisionally unquestioned presuppositions.

The New York Times - Books

To develop the point, Socrates produces a striking schema distinguishing between care of the body and care of the soul.

SEP

As Nagel develops the point, there are other types of luck that affect not only our actions but also every intention we form and every exertion of our wills.

SEP

It took a concerted effort to decipher the system and develop the points of contact at each echelon to work through the red tape.

The New Yorker

GB helped develop the Points of care teaching module and trialled its effectiveness, and critically reviewed the manuscript.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the 'point' being developed has been clearly established in the preceding sentence to maintain logical flow.

Common error

Do not use "developing the point" if the subsequent sentences merely repeat the original statement in different words. True development requires the addition of new data, logic, or perspectives to justify the transition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing the point" functions as a present participle phrase, often acting as a gerund or part of a verbal construction that describes the act of expanding on a specific argument. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to bridge a general statement with detailed supporting evidence or further nuance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "developing the point" is a highly effective linguistic tool for signaling transition and depth in writing. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most prevalent in professional and academic settings, where it helps maintain clarity during complex arguments. It serves as an bridge between a general assertion and detailed analysis. While it is categorized as a rare exact match in some databases, the variations of the phrase appear across the most authoritative global sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian. Writers should use it to ensure their audience follows the logical expansion of their thoughts, while being careful to provide genuine new information whenever they promise to 'develop' a concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elaborating on the argument

Focuses more on the logical structure and defense of a claim.

expanding on the idea

Uses broader terminology suitable for creative or conceptual discussions.

building on the point

Suggests an additive process where new information is layered on old.

furthering the point

Suggests progressing the argument toward a conclusion.

clarifying the concept

Emphasizes making a difficult idea easier to understand.

substantiating the point

Highlights the use of evidence and verification.

fleshing out the detail

A more metaphorical way to describe adding substance to a skeletal outline.

amplifying the claim

Often implies increasing the rhetorical force or importance of a statement.

explaining the position

More descriptive of a person's stance or viewpoint.

strengthening the premise

Implies adding evidence specifically to make the logic more robust.

FAQs

How to use "developing the point" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce more detail, such as: "The author spent the next chapter developing the point regarding social inequality."

What can I say instead of "developing the point"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "elaborating on the idea", "expanding on the argument" or "building on this".

Is "developing the point" suitable for formal essays?

Yes, it is highly suitable for formal and academic contexts as it indicates a structured and analytical approach to writing.

What is the difference between "developing the point" and "making a point"?

While "making a point" refers to the initial introduction of an idea, "developing the point" refers to the subsequent elaboration and support of that idea.