make it a point

USAGE SUMMARY

"make it a point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the importance of something: "I always make it a point to get to the office before 8:00am."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make it a point that you do your work in its order of importance.

WikiHow

Make it a point to visit the lonely".

The New York Times

As part of that protocol, they also make it a point to update the players regularly.

The New York Times - Sports

Every morning now I make it a point to get dressed and go outside.

The New Yorker

"We make it a point to find staff who deal well with diversity.

The New York Times

I make it a point to do so whenever I'm in town.

The New York Times - Food

Like Ms. Post, they make it a point to learn the drill.

The New York Times

So I assume you make it a point to take care of your horses?

The New York Times

Make it a point to contribute at least once in every meeting you attend.

The New York Times

"We almost make it a point not to bring work home with us," Mr. McCooey said.

The New York Times - Style

"We do make it a point to return a letter to every student who writes us".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it a point", follow it with a clear and specific action. This ensures the reader understands what you are emphasizing.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "make it a point" in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "ensure" or "prioritize" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it a point" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the importance or intentionality of an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to highlight commitment and deliberate effort. This is also supported by Ludwig AI, which validates the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it a point" is a versatile idiomatic expression used to emphasize the importance and intentionality of an action. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media and informal writing contexts. To enhance your writing, use "make it a point" to highlight commitment and priority, but avoid overuse. Alternatives like "be sure to" or "prioritize" can add variety while conveying similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to

Emphasizes putting in effort to achieve something, slightly less idiomatic.

make a conscious effort to

Emphasizes deliberate and thoughtful intention.

make sure to

Focuses on ensuring something is done, highlighting certainty.

be sure to

Similar to "make sure to", but with a slightly less forceful tone.

take care to

Highlights being cautious and attentive in doing something.

be certain to

Highlights a high degree of confidence that something will happen.

prioritize

Focuses on giving something precedence over other things.

remember to

Focuses on not forgetting to do something.

give priority to

More formal way of saying "prioritize".

commit to

Highlights making a firm decision and dedicating oneself to something.

FAQs

How to use "make it a point" in a sentence?

Use "make it a point" to emphasize the importance of doing something. For example, "I "make it a point" to exercise every day" indicates a strong commitment to daily exercise.

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

You can use alternatives like "make an effort to", "be sure to", or "prioritize" depending on the context.

Is it okay to say "made it a point"?

Yes, "made it a point" is the past tense form and is perfectly acceptable. For example, "She "made it a point" to thank everyone for their help."

What's the difference between "make it a point" and "make an effort"?

"Make it a point" suggests a stronger intention and a higher level of commitment than "make an effort". The first implies a regular practice, while the second indicates a one-time attempt.