made it a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made it a point" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone has taken the effort to ensure something is done or acknowledged. Example: "She made it a point to arrive early for the meeting to prepare her presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He made it a point of character.

The New York Times

The Devils have made it a point to disagree — vehemently.

The New York Times - Sports

And I made it a point to try, to try to move.

The New York Times - Sports

Agler made it a point of emphasis and Sunday, the Storm had 13.

The New York Times - Sports

Miss Rossiter who made it a point to talk to everybody wherever she went.

The New Yorker

A. I made it a point to pay them back in three years.

The New York Times

On Monday, he made it a point to say he was being "super careful".

The New York Times - Sports

The Knicks made it a point to attack Garnett the entire game.

The New York Times - Sports

And the principal made it a point to break the rules".

The New York Times

Mr. Espada has made it a point to highlight the robust outside support for Mr. Rivera.

The New York Times

Hot walkers, grooms, jockeys and fellow trainers made it a point to swing by his barn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made it a point" to emphasize deliberate intention. For example, instead of saying "He remembered to call", you could say "He "made it a point" to call", showing it was a conscious decision.

Common error

While "made it a point" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for a more concise synonym like "ensured" or "guaranteed" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made it a point" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that someone deliberately and consciously took the action. It indicates intention and effort, as shown in Ludwig's examples, such as "He "made it a point" to say he was being 'super careful'" or "I "made it a point" to arrive very early at the airport."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made it a point" is a very common idiomatic expression used to emphasize that someone deliberately and consciously took a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, sports reporting, and business communications, indicating a neutral register that fits various formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, consider its intended purpose: to highlight the intentionality and importance of an action. While perfectly acceptable, remember alternatives such as "took care to" or "made sure to" may be more appropriate in highly formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made sure to

Focuses on guaranteeing the occurrence of an event or action.

took care to

Highlights attentiveness and carefulness in performing an action.

made a special effort

Emphasizes the extra energy invested in doing something.

saw to it that

Emphasizes ensuring that something happens, often implying authority.

took the initiative

Focuses on being the first to act; highlights proactiveness.

went out of the way

Highlights exceptional effort beyond the norm.

made a conscious decision

Emphasizes the intentional and thoughtful nature of the action.

took it upon oneself

Emphasizes personal responsibility and initiative.

considered it important

Highlights the value placed on the action or event.

deemed it necessary

Emphasizes the perceived need or obligation to act.

FAQs

How can I use "made it a point" in a sentence?

You can use "made it a point" to emphasize that someone took the effort to do something. For instance, "She "made it a point" to arrive early to the meeting" shows her deliberate effort to be on time.

What can I say instead of "made it a point"?

You can use alternatives like "took care to", "made sure to", or "made a special effort" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "made it a point" or "make it a point"?

"Made it a point" is the past tense form, used to describe something that already happened. "Make it a point" is the present tense or infinitive form, used to describe a habit or intention.

What's the difference between "made it a point" and "went out of the way"?

"Made it a point" suggests a deliberate effort, while "went out of the way" implies an exceptional or unusual effort beyond what is normally expected.