he was pointed

USAGE SUMMARY

'he was pointed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone was being guided or directed in a particular direction. For example, "The teacher showed the students around the museum; then he was pointed towards the exit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In other ways, too, he was pointed.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was pointed out as someone whose nephew had been detained.

Independent

The few times he ventured out, he said he was pointed at by people.

The New York Times

Headlines in the papers gave news about him, he was pointed out at the Ritz.

The New Yorker

On Tuesday, as he was pointed to the checkout, the shares rose 4% to 184p.

The Guardian - Business

When he asked where the stranger had found the collection, he was pointed toward a basement room.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He was pointing at Nachman's car.

The New Yorker

He was pointing along the West Side Highway.

The New Yorker

They knew where he was pointing.

The New Yorker

On one hand, he was pointing fingers.

The New York Times - Sports

He was pointing out how common these things are.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was pointed" when you want to emphasize direction or indication, especially when the source of the direction is less important than the direction itself.

Common error

Avoid using "he was pointed" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "he was pointed to the manager by the receptionist", consider "the receptionist pointed him to the manager".

Linguistic Context

He was pointed primarily functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that someone or something caused him to be directed or shown in a particular direction. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use, showing how the phrase is used when the subject receives the action of being directed or indicated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was pointed" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone was directed or indicated towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It commonly appears in news, academic, and sports contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and consider whether an active voice construction might be more effective. Alternatives such as "he was directed" or "he was guided" can be used for similar meanings. Avoid confusing it with active voice constructions. This phrase is a common and useful tool for conveying direction or indication in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was directed

Replaces "pointed" with a more general term for being guided.

he was guided

Similar to "directed", but emphasizes the act of being led.

he was indicated

Focuses on the act of being shown or identified.

he was identified

Emphasizes the act of being recognized or singled out.

he was singled out

Highlights the act of being chosen from a group.

he was designated

Implies a formal assignment or selection.

attention was drawn to him

Focuses on the act of attracting attention to the person.

he was referred

Indicates being sent or directed to someone or something.

he was earmarked

Suggests being chosen for a specific purpose.

he was tapped

Implies being selected or chosen, often for a specific role.

FAQs

How can I use "he was pointed" in a sentence?

Use "he was pointed" to indicate that someone was directed or shown something. For example, "He was pointed toward the exit after the meeting."

What's a good alternative to "he was pointed"?

Alternatives include "he was directed", "he was guided", or "he was shown", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he was point" instead of "he was pointed"?

No, "he was point" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "he was pointed", using the past participle of the verb "to point".

What's the difference between "he was pointed" and "he pointed"?

"He was pointed" is in the passive voice, indicating that someone else directed him. "He pointed" is in the active voice, indicating that he himself did the pointing.