make a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone wants to get an idea or opinion across to an audience. For example: "The speaker made a point of emphasizing the importance of voting rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I make a point of doing it".

Independent

"But you can make a point".

The New Yorker

"I just wanted to make a point.

The New York Times

"He needed to make a point.

BBC

He was trying to make a point.

Harvard University

I'm trying to make a point here.

The New Yorker

Obviously, I'm overgeneralizing to make a point.

The New York Times - Food

"But I'm trying to make a point.

The New Yorker

I was trying to make a point.

The New York Times - Magazine

I wanted to make a point.

The New York Times - Sports

"I make a point of it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a point" in writing, ensure that the point you are making is clear and directly relevant to the surrounding context. This will enhance the overall coherence and impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "make a point" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms such as "emphasize a fact" or "highlight an idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a point" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of stating or emphasizing a particular idea or argument. It is often used to introduce or highlight an important aspect of a discussion or presentation, as demonstrated in numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

10%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a point" is a versatile expression used to emphasize or clarify an idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts, notably in news and media, academic writing, and general discussions. While it is generally neutral, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms such as "emphasize a fact" or "highlight an idea" to maintain writing freshness. By understanding its function, communicative purpose, and appropriate usage, writers can effectively use "make a point" to enhance their messaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize a fact

Focuses on highlighting the importance of a specific fact.

stress a detail

Highlights the importance of a particular detail.

highlight an idea

Emphasizes the act of bringing an idea to the forefront.

underscore an argument

Strengthens an argument by providing additional emphasis.

bring up a topic

Shifts the focus to introducing a subject for discussion.

call attention to

Focuses on drawing focus to a specific issue or detail.

drive home a message

Conveys the idea of forcefully communicating a message.

press home an argument

Emphasizes the act of persistently advocating for a specific argument.

state clearly

Focuses on the clarity of the statement rather than emphasis.

assert an opinion

Emphasizes confidently expressing one's opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "make a point" in a sentence?

You can use "make a point" to indicate that you are emphasizing something important, for example, "The speaker wanted to "make a point" about the necessity of education."

What does it mean to "make a point of" doing something?

To "make a point of" doing something means to make a deliberate effort to do it, often to show that it is important to you. For instance, "She "makes a point of" arriving early to meetings."

What are some alternatives to "make a point"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "emphasize a fact", "highlight an idea", or "underscore an argument" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to "make a point" or "get to the point"?

"Make a point" means to emphasize an idea, while "get to the point" means to be direct and avoid unnecessary details. The choice depends on whether you want to stress an idea or simply be concise.