pointed out

USAGE SUMMARY

"pointed out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been made clear or explicitly expressed. For example, "The teacher pointed out the key points from the lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dani pointed out landmarks.

The New Yorker

"He pointed out a car.

The New York Times

"It's never been pointed out".

The New Yorker

Siegler pointed out earlier Monday.

The New York Times

Someone pointed out the obvious.

The New York Times

LaChapelle pointed out China Chow.

The New Yorker

She pointed out something else.

The New York Times

He pointed out a house.

The New York Times

She pointed out a doe to me.

The New Yorker

He pointed out some wild mushrooms.

Independent

She pointed out a boyfriend's house.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointed out" to directly draw attention to a specific detail or fact within a discussion or text.

Common error

While "pointed out" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "indicated" or "highlighted" in academic or professional contexts to enhance the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointed out" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past tense of the verb "point out". Ludwig examples show it's used to indicate that someone has drawn attention to a specific detail, fact, or issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointed out" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to draw attention to specific details or facts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings. It appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts. Remember to use "pointed out" when you want to ensure that a particular piece of information is noticed and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

called attention to

A more formal way of saying "pointed out", indicating a deliberate effort to make something noticeable.

highlighted

Emphasizes making something more visible or prominent.

drew attention to

Similar in meaning but more descriptive and less direct.

indicated

Focuses on indirectly showing or suggesting something rather than a direct statement.

emphasized

Stresses the importance of something.

clarified

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand.

specified

Focuses on providing detailed information about something.

identified

Focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

mentioned

Refers to briefly stating something without necessarily emphasizing it.

brought up

Suggests introducing a topic or idea into a conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "pointed out" in a sentence?

You can use "pointed out" to draw attention to a specific detail or fact. For instance, "The teacher "pointed out" the key points in the lesson".

What are some alternatives to "pointed out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "indicated", "highlighted", or "mentioned".

Is "pointed out" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pointed out" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "specified" or "drew attention to".

What's the difference between "pointed out" and "mentioned"?

"Pointed out" suggests drawing specific attention to something, while "mentioned" simply means briefly stating something without necessarily emphasizing it. "He "pointed out" the error" implies he made sure it was noticed, while "He "mentioned" the error" simply means he brought it up.