have been pointed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been pointed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been directed or indicated at a previous time and continues to be relevant. Example: "Several issues have been pointed out during the meeting that need to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His amendments have been pointed and controversial.

The New York Times

But drawbacks have been pointed out.

The New York Times

Some restricted orthogonality conditions have been pointed out.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Several damage micro-mechanisms have been pointed out.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Some compositions, seeming to be more interesting than Hench's 45S5, could have been pointed out.

Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids

Two different perception mechanisms, as a function of the roughness wavelength, have been pointed out.

Tribology International

By simulating the so-called surface state capacitance, three states have been pointed out.

Electrochimica Acta

These have been pointed out and corrected as rapidly as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Thursday's column, the significance of the nine of clubs should have been pointed out.

The New York Times - Arts

The foundations for Mr. Schickele's success have been pointed out many times.

The New York Times

The accusations from both camps (and, yes, that would be Men v. Women) have been pointed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been pointed" to clearly indicate that specific issues, factors, or details have been brought to attention previously, ensuring clarity and acknowledging prior awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "have been pointed" excessively in overly complex sentences, as it can lead to convoluted phrasing. Simplify the sentence structure or opt for a more direct verb to maintain clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been pointed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (an issue, a direction, blame, etc.) has been directed or indicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been pointed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that attention has been directed towards something specific. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used across diverse fields like science, news media, and more formal writing. The phrase serves to highlight, assign responsibility, or inform the audience of previously noted issues. To ensure clarity and conciseness, avoid overuse in complex sentences, and consider more direct verbs when appropriate. Alternatives like ""have been highlighted"" or ""have been noted"" can be used for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been noted

Indicates something has been observed or recorded, a more passive form of pointing.

have been highlighted

Emphasizes making something more noticeable, distinct from merely directing attention.

have been emphasized

Highlights the importance of something, rather than merely directing attention to it.

have been indicated

Focuses on a sign or signal being given, differing from a direct pointing or directing.

have been underlined

Draws attention to something by marking it distinctly, similar to highlighting.

have been directed

Highlights the act of guiding or aiming something towards a specific target or direction.

have been identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or discovering something, less directional than "have been pointed".

have been shown

Emphasizes a demonstration or revelation, unlike a simple pointing out.

have been flagged

Indicates something has been marked for attention, often due to a problem or concern.

have been suggested

Focuses on proposing an idea or course of action, less direct than "have been pointed".

FAQs

How can I use "have been pointed" in a sentence?

Use "have been pointed" to indicate that something has been brought to someone's attention. For example, "Several errors "have been pointed out" in the report." You can also use it to assign blame: "Fingers "have been pointed" at the manager after the team's poor performance."

What are some alternatives to "have been pointed"?

Alternatives include "have been highlighted", "have been indicated", or "have been noted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "have been pointed out" or "have been pointed"?

While both are grammatically correct, "have been pointed out" is often more specific and complete. "Have been pointed" can sometimes sound incomplete without specifying what has been pointed at.

What does "fingers have been pointed" mean?

The idiom "fingers "have been pointed"" means that blame or accusations have been directed at someone. For example, "After the scandal, fingers "have been pointed" at the CEO."