had pointed out

USAGE SUMMARY

"had pointed out" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the past perfect tense of the verb "to point out," which means "to draw attention to a fact or detail." For example: My teacher had pointed out that I should be more careful in my punctuation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Freddie had pointed out the tracks first.

The New Yorker

A year before the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Johnson had pointed out the obvious.

The New Yorker

Other students said teachers at their previous schools had pointed out incorrect answers, the teacher said.

The New York Times

Officials had pointed out to him that this type of expense could not be reimbursed.

The Economist

(c) Leahy had pointed out how many no-bid contracts had gone to Halliburton.

The New Yorker

But, as Saint-Simon had pointed out, this civilization had a fatal flaw.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Einstein for having pointed out this difficulty.

Princeton University

"People have pointed out the obvious Freudian interpretation," she said.

The New Yorker

As some Indians have pointed out, Mongolia was ahead.

The New York Times

Yet as several commenters have pointed out, we were wrong.

The Economist

Prosecutors have pointed out that David Tarloff's actions were focused.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had pointed out" when you want to emphasize that someone brought attention to something at a specific point in the past, and that fact is relevant to a subsequent event or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "had pointed out" when the action of pointing out is not completed before another action in the past. In such cases, use "pointed out" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had pointed out" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action of drawing attention to something that was completed before another action in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had pointed out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight an action of bringing attention to something in the past, prior to another event. Its versatility allows it to be applied across different contexts, mainly in News & Media, Academia, and Science as well as in other areas, but is best suited for formal communication as its structure lends itself to precision. Remember to use it when emphasizing a past action that precedes another, and avoid it when a simple past tense suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had highlighted

Implies emphasizing a specific aspect or detail.

had emphasized

Highlights the importance or significance of something.

had drawn attention to

Emphasizes the act of making something noticeable.

had noted

Suggests a brief mention or observation.

had clarified

Emphasizes making something clearer or easier to understand.

had indicated

Focuses on suggesting or showing something indirectly, rather than directly calling attention to it.

had identified

Focuses on recognizing and naming something specific.

had specified

Focuses on providing detailed information or requirements.

had remarked

Implies a casual observation or comment.

had mentioned

Suggests a brief and often incidental reference.

FAQs

How can I use "had pointed out" in a sentence?

Use "had pointed out" to indicate that someone brought attention to something before a specific time in the past. For example, "The scientist "had pointed out" the flaw in the experiment before the results were published."

What's a less formal way to say "had pointed out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "mentioned", "noted", or "said".

What is the difference between "pointed out" and "had pointed out"?

"Pointed out" is in the simple past tense, while "had pointed out" is in the past perfect tense. Use "had pointed out" when the action of pointing out occurred before another action in the past. If the action of pointing out is the main focus of the sentence, "pointed out" is more appropriate.

Is "had pointed out" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "had pointed out" is suitable for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and conveys a clear and precise meaning. It is commonly used in academic papers, news articles, and professional reports.