pointed advice on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pointed advice on' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe advice that is provided in a direct and serious manner. Example: His grandfather provided him with pointed advice on the importance of having good savings habits.

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That data can be used to show employees where they stand relative to other people in their age group, and offer them more pointed advice on how to pay down debt or save for a home.

Forbes

Talk to your teacher for some extra, pointed advice on how to prepare for your test.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When it comes to black areas like Bronzeville, State Representative William D. Burns of the 26th District on the South Side has some pointed advice for Mr. Emanuel: "If serious, he needs to start talking to African-American politicians," something he has not done much of so far, according to Mr. Burns, a onetime legislative aide to State Senator Barack Obama.

The New York Times

[Revolution Health Some more pointed advice for wives: "Let the dog clean up his own mess".

The New York Times

Hillary Rodham Clinton's biggest supporter in the labor movement has some pointed advice for Barack Obama.

The New York Times

Now dean at the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Edley has been close to Obama, dispensing pointed advice to his campaign staff.

The Washington Post

Instead he made a final bid to be remembered as a man of accomplishment and offered polite but pointed advice to his successor.

The New York Times

On stage today at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, Kevin O'Connor, the former Co-founder of DoubleClick and current Founder and CEO of FindTheBest, offered some pointed advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

TechCrunch

But this doesn't mean it's not possible and Yecies has some very pointed advice for women aspiring for the top job.

Forbes

-- Javier Panzar, joining Team Politics from the Metro desk, noticed Sen. Dianne Feinstein had some pointed advice for aspiring female politicians during an appearance back home over summer recess.

Los Angeles Times

It's no wonder that black activist Samantha White (Tessa Thompson) hits a nerve with the pointed advice she dispenses to fellow students on her radio show, "Dear White People".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointed advice on" when you want to emphasize the directness and relevance of the guidance being offered. It implies a focus on specific issues and a no-nonsense approach.

Common error

Avoid using "pointed advice on" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly assertive or even critical in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointed advice on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, specifying the nature of the advice being offered. It suggests that the advice is direct, specific, and relevant to a particular topic. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pointed advice on" is a prepositional phrase used to describe direct and specific guidance on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that while grammatically correct, it is a relatively rare phrase, best suited for formal and professional contexts. When writing, consider the tone and audience to ensure its appropriateness, opting for alternatives in more casual settings. The phrase can be used to persuade the reader to take the suggestions on board. The most authoritative sources that contain the query are The New York Times, Forbes and Los Angeles Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct guidance on

Replaces "pointed advice" with "direct guidance", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the advice.

specific recommendations for

Shifts from advice to recommendations, focusing on concrete actions.

targeted suggestions about

Uses "targeted suggestions" instead of "pointed advice", highlighting the focused nature of the guidance.

explicit instructions regarding

Replaces "advice" with "instructions", suggesting a more imperative and detailed form of guidance.

detailed counsel concerning

Substitutes "pointed advice" with "detailed counsel", indicating thorough and elaborate guidance.

clear recommendations for

Highlights the clarity of the suggested actions instead of the intensity of the suggestion.

focused guidance on

Highlights the narrow focus of the advice.

pertinent recommendations regarding

Replaces "advice" with "recommendations" and adds "pertinent", indicating that the advice is relevant to the topic at hand.

precise instructions for

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness of the suggested steps.

incisive suggestions about

Emphasizes the sharpness and penetrating nature of the guidance.

FAQs

How can I use "pointed advice on" in a sentence?

You can use "pointed advice on" to indicate specific and direct guidance on a subject. For example, "The mentor gave pointed advice on navigating the challenges of starting a new business."

What is another way to say "pointed advice on"?

Alternatives to "pointed advice on" include "direct guidance on", "specific recommendations for", or "targeted suggestions about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pointed advice on" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, "pointed advice on" can be considered too formal for casual writing. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "helpful tips on" or "practical advice for".

When is it appropriate to use "pointed advice on"?

"Pointed advice on" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the directness, relevance, and often the seriousness of the advice being given, typically in professional or formal contexts.