it was pointed out

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was pointed out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a statement or opinion made by someone else. For example: "It was pointed out that the potential for growth in this market is substantial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(It was pointed out that he did).

The New Yorker

When it was pointed out to us, we changed it.

Independent

It was pointed out that he used his left hand.

The New York Times - Sports

When it was pointed out to her, she was amazed.

The New Yorker

It was pointed out that beavers are actually herbivores.

The Guardian

After all, each justice, it was pointed out, gets a single vote.

Princeton University

It was pointed out that the action in question, tapping a finger, is pretty inconsequential.

University of California, Berkeley

The Tigers' favoured murder weapon, it was pointed out, is the suicide bomber.

The Economist

It was pointed out that plenty of Rangers stink on the power play these days.

The New York Times - Sports

It was pointed out to Mr. Dolan that this could describe him as well.

The New York Times

But I didn't notice this until it was pointed out, a decade into drawing the couple.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was pointed out", ensure the context makes it clear who is doing the pointing out, even if it's implied. This enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

While "it was pointed out" is acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing for a more active voice if appropriate, such as "someone pointed out" or "analysts noted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was pointed out" functions as a passive construction used to introduce a statement, observation, or correction that someone else has made. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a grammatically sound way to attribute information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was pointed out" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce information, observations, or corrections from an external source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts like news, science, and academia, with a neutral tone suitable for professional communication. While common, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Remember to ensure clarity by hinting at who made the observation. Alternatives include "it was noted" and "attention was drawn to", which can add variety and nuance to your writing. "It was pointed out" is a very common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was noted

Focuses on the act of noticing or recording something; more neutral in tone.

attention was drawn to

Emphasizes the act of directing focus to a specific detail or issue.

it was brought to light

Suggests revealing something previously unknown or unclear.

it was mentioned

A more general way of saying something was said or referred to.

emphasis was placed on

Highlights the importance or significance of a particular aspect.

it was remarked

Indicates a comment or observation was made, often casually.

it was clarified

Suggests removing ambiguity or providing a clearer explanation.

the fact was highlighted

Emphasizes the importance of a piece of information.

the observation was made

Formal way to introduce a statement.

it was indicated

Suggests something was shown or signaled, rather than directly stated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was pointed out" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it was observed", "it was noted", or "attention was drawn to".

Is "it was pointed out to me" redundant?

While not strictly redundant, "it was pointed out to me" can often be shortened to "I was told" or "I learned" for conciseness, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it was pointed out" and "it was suggested"?

"It was pointed out" implies a correction, clarification, or an obvious fact being brought to attention. "It was suggested" implies a proposal or recommendation being made.

Can "it was pointed out" be used to introduce an opinion?

Yes, "it was pointed out" can introduce an opinion, but it implies that the opinion is based on some form of evidence or logical reasoning. Consider using "it was believed" or "it was thought" if introducing a purely subjective viewpoint.