know the point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know the point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express understanding or awareness of a specific idea or argument. Example: "After discussing the issue for hours, I finally know the point he was trying to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Do you?" "I do what?" "Know the point".

The New Yorker

Did you always know the point in her life at which the story would start?

The New Yorker

She tells both stories to her daughter, who demands to know the point.

The New Yorker

"It's important to know the point is not only with one shot," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, I know the point of "family" dinners is to improve the well-being of the children.

The New York Times - Magazine

We know the point of Ukip is to take Britain out of the EU – but no one on the doorstep is bothered about that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

As you were writing the story, did you know the points at which an alert would come?

The New Yorker

If we perform like this I know the points will come".

BBC

They're all wise now, though, and know the points you gain for third are better than risking all and ending up with zero.

BBC

When reading the question, know the points you want to address.

WikiHow

If we knew the point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, rephrase the sentence to explicitly state "the point" if it isn't immediately obvious from the context.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience automatically understands "the point" without sufficient context. Clearly articulate what you mean to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know the point" functions as a verb phrase indicating comprehension or understanding of a specific idea, argument, or purpose. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, affirming its role in conveying awareness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "know the point" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate understanding or awareness of a specific idea or argument. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile enough to appear in various contexts, particularly in news, media, wiki articles and scientific publications. While its usage is neutral, ensuring clear context is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "understand the purpose" or "grasp the significance" can offer a more formal tone. Overall, "know the point" serves as a straightforward way to convey comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand the purpose

Focuses on the reason or intention behind something, shifting from knowing to understanding.

grasp the significance

Emphasizes understanding the importance or consequence of something.

comprehend the essence

Highlights understanding the fundamental nature or most important quality of something.

recognize the rationale

Focuses on understanding the logical basis or justification for something.

perceive the intention

Highlights understanding what someone plans or aims to do.

realize the objective

Focuses on becoming aware of the goal or aim.

appreciate the value

Emphasizes understanding the worth or importance of something.

discern the meaning

Highlights the act of perceiving or recognizing the deeper meaning of something.

get the drift

An informal way of saying understand the general meaning.

see the big picture

Focuses on understanding the overall context or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "know the point" in a sentence?

You can use "know the point" to express understanding of an idea, argument, or situation. For instance, "After the explanation, I finally "know the point" of the discussion."

What's a more formal way to say "know the point"?

In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "understand the purpose", "grasp the significance", or "comprehend the essence" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "know the point of" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "know the point of" something. For example, "Do you "know the point" of this exercise?"

What's the difference between "know the point" and "understand the point"?

While similar, "understand the point" often implies a deeper comprehension than simply ""know the point"". Understanding suggests you can explain or apply the concept, while knowing might just mean you're aware of it.