make a point of

USAGE SUMMARY

'make a point of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is often used to describe a purposeful action. For example, "I always make a point of arriving early to meetings."

✓ 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

"I make a point of it".

The New York Times

They almost make a point of their ignorance.

The New Yorker

We make a point of going to dinner regularly.

Independent

I try to make a point of being seen.

The New Yorker

We make a point of going on weekend trips.

The New York Times - Magazine

Does the Serpentine make a point of equal opportunities?

The Guardian - Arts

Tonight they make a point of avoiding familiar tunes.

The Guardian - Music

Erik's friends make a point of treating him irreverently.

The New York Times - Arts

People make a point of honor to flout the law".

The New York Times

I broke it to make a point of principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a point of" to emphasize intentional actions, demonstrating a conscious effort to achieve a specific outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "make a point of" excessively in a single piece of writing. Variety your language by incorporating synonyms like "prioritize", "ensure", or "remember to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a point of" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a deliberate and intentional action. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe purposeful actions, as illustrated in many of the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a point of" signifies a deliberate and intentional action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's frequently used to emphasize a conscious effort. Analysis reveals its versatility across diverse contexts, primarily in news, academic, and wiki sources, maintaining a neutral register applicable in formal and informal settings. While a common and grammatically correct phrase, it's advisable to vary language by considering related alternatives like "prioritize" or "ensure" to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it a priority to

Emphasizes the importance of the action.

make a habit of

Suggests a repeated action or routine.

take the initiative to

Highlights proactiveness in performing the action.

be sure to

Expresses a strong recommendation or obligation.

make certain to

Similar to 'be sure to', but with more emphasis.

ensure that you

Focuses on guaranteeing the outcome of the action.

take care to

Implies attention and diligence in performing the action.

purposefully

Highlights the deliberate nature of an action.

intentionally

Similar to purposefully.

deliberately

Highlights the careful consideration behind an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a point of" to indicate that someone does something intentionally or deliberately. For example, "I always make a point of arriving early" or "She makes a point of being kind to everyone she meets."

What are some alternatives to "make a point of"?

Alternatives to "make a point of" include "make it a priority to", "be sure to", or "take the initiative to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "made a point of" instead of "make a point of"?

Yes, "made a point of" is the past tense form of the phrase and is perfectly correct. For example, "He made a point of thanking everyone for their help."

What's the difference between "make a point of" and "make a habit of"?

"Make a point of" implies a deliberate, perhaps occasional, action, while "make a habit of" suggests a recurring, routine behavior. For example, you might "make a point of" visiting your grandmother on her birthday, but you "make a habit of" exercising every morning.