directly on point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly on point" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is especially relevant, pertinent, or applicable to the conversation or situation at hand. For example, "The speaker's comments were directly on point and shed some much-needed light on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

If even the district court acknowledged that this was an unusual case and if there was little or no 2nd Circuit precedent directly on point for a case like this, you know, one of the questions that I had is why did your panel not just do your own analysis and your own opinion.

The Washington Post

I uncovered a case that was elegantly written, well reasoned and directly on point.

The New York Times

"The New York City statute is so much more directly on point".

The New York Times

I talked around the issues, trying to avoid admitting anything directly on point.

The New York Times

"In those five per cent of hard cases, the constitutional text will not be directly on point.

The New Yorker

Existing case law provides lots of guidance, but "there is not a Supreme Court decision directly on point because this is unprecedented," Mr. Hall said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Additionally, few of the topically relevant articles were directly on-point.

BMC Public Health

That's a capability that deserves discussion even if it's not directly on enterprise point.

Harvard Business Review

The new method operates directly on the point cloud without any explicit or implicit surface reconstruction procedure.

Computer-Aided Design

Danny Kushlick of drug reformers Transform has lobbied Gordon Brown directly on this point: "Of course, they suspect and fear the results; they can't deal with the reality".

The Guardian - Opinion

The United States Trustee, which acts as watchdog for professional fees in Chapter 11 cases, argued that the Supreme Court's opinion in the Baker Botts case, which was not directly on this point, precluded such contracts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly on point" when you want to emphasize that something is not just relevant but also precisely applicable and focused on the matter at hand.

Common error

While "directly on point" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "relevant" or "to the point" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly on point" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree of relevance or pertinence of something to a specific topic or situation. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples where it qualifies nouns like 'case', 'evidence', or 'argument'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "directly on point" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something as precisely relevant or pertinent. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing a higher degree of focus than simply "relevant". While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia. To avoid overuse, especially in informal settings, consider alternatives like "precisely relevant" or "exactly applicable". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely relevant

Focuses on accuracy and relevance, omitting the directional aspect.

perfectly pertinent

Emphasizes the appropriateness and relevance to a specific matter.

exactly applicable

Highlights the direct applicability of something to a situation.

utterly relevant

Emphasizes the strong relevance but lacks the sense of direction.

highly pertinent

Stresses the high degree of relevance, missing the directness aspect.

specifically relevant

Focuses on relevance to a specific item or issue.

closely related

Indicates a close relationship, but does not guarantee relevance.

clearly applicable

Emphasizes the evident applicability, but it's less precise.

immediately germane

Highlights the immediate relevance but may sound more formal.

particularly appropriate

Focuses on the suitability of something without emphasis on directness.

FAQs

How can I use "directly on point" in a sentence?

You can use "directly on point" to describe information, arguments, or evidence that is precisely relevant to the matter being discussed. For example, "The witness's testimony was "directly on point" and helped clarify the situation."

What's the difference between "directly on point" and "relevant"?

"Directly on point" implies a higher degree of precision and focus than "relevant". Something that is "directly on point" is not just related to the topic but precisely addresses the key issue. "Relevant" is broader and can include information that is generally related but not necessarily crucial.

What are some alternatives to saying "directly on point"?

Alternatives to "directly on point" include "precisely relevant", "perfectly pertinent", or "exactly applicable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "directly on point" formal or informal?

"Directly on point" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might sound slightly more formal than very casual alternatives like "to the point". Its suitability depends largely on the overall tone of the communication.