misses the point

USAGE SUMMARY

"misses the point" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when someone fails to understand the full idea of something or makes an incorrect assumption. For example, "He completely misses the point of the argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

That misses the point.

The New York Times

This misses the point.

The New York Times

Boswell misses the point.

The New Yorker

This misses the point, however.

The Economist

But this misses the point.

The New York Times - Books

It also misses the point.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He missed the point.

The New York Times

They missed the point.

The New York Times

That missed the point.

The New York Times

They miss the point.

The Economist

The criticisms miss the point.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "misses the point", ensure the context is clear. Immediately follow up with an explanation of what the actual point is to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "misses the point" without clarifying why the point is missed. Simply stating that someone "misses the point" can come across as dismissive. Instead, follow with a specific explanation of the misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "misses the point" functions as a predicate, indicating a failure to understand the central idea or argument. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in criticizing arguments or statements considered irrelevant or flawed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "misses the point" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has failed to understand the central aspect of an argument or situation. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is most frequently used in News & Media, with a neutral register suitable for general discussions. To avoid vagueness, always clarify why the point is missed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is useful for when someone fails to understand the full idea of something or makes an incorrect assumption, and can be used effectively in debates and analyses, clarifying misunderstandings by immediately following up with an explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlooks the essence

This alternative suggests a failure to recognize the most important aspect of something.

fails to grasp the core

This option emphasizes a lack of understanding of the fundamental element.

misunderstands the crux

Highlights an incorrect interpretation of the critical issue.

doesn't get the gist

This phrase suggests a failure to comprehend the main idea.

is beside the question

This option indicates that something is irrelevant to the matter at hand.

is not the issue

This alternative suggests that something is not the relevant or important concern.

is off-topic

Highlights that the current discussion is straying from the main subject.

loses sight of the forest for the trees

This idiom suggests focusing on details and missing the overall picture.

is barking up the wrong tree

This idiom suggests pursuing the wrong course of action or having the wrong idea.

completely misses the boat

This idiom suggests missing an opportunity or understanding.

FAQs

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

"Misses the point" is used to indicate that someone has failed to understand the most important aspect of something. For example, you could say, "His argument completely "misses the point" because it doesn't address the core issue".

What are some alternatives to saying "misses the point"?

Alternatives include "overlooks the essence", "fails to grasp the core", or "misunderstands the crux". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "misses the point" or "ignores the point"?

While both are valid, "misses the point" suggests a lack of understanding, whereas "ignores the point" implies a deliberate oversight. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the situation. Sometimes, "overlooks the essence" could work too.

What's the difference between "misses the point" and "beside the point"?

"Misses the point" means someone misunderstands the central idea, while "beside the point" means something is irrelevant to the discussion. So, using "is beside the question" means irrelevant.