pointed out to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointed out to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has brought attention to something or made a remark about it. Example: "She pointed out to the committee the importance of addressing climate change in their policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pointed out to them the failings of Marxism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which I pointed out to him.

The Guardian - Sport

Feet much wider than shoulder width, pointed out to angles.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When it was pointed out to us, we changed it.

Independent

They thrilled when Owney Madden was pointed out to them.

The New Yorker

The error was pointed out to the editors only recently.

The New York Times

I pointed out to Snyder that this is pretty weird.

The New York Times - Magazine

She walked over to me and pointed out to sea.

The New York Times - Magazine

Various buyers were pointed out to the reporter.

The New Yorker

When it was pointed out to her, she was amazed.

The New Yorker

I pointed out to him, as I had pointed out to the Minister of the Interior, Himmler, before, that I was a convinced church-going Christian.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pointed out to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the observation and to whom it is being directed. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, "pointed out to" can sound less formal in certain contexts. Consider using alternatives like "brought to someone's attention" or "highlighted for someone" in professional or academic documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointed out to" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb because it requires a direct object (the thing being pointed out) and an indirect object (the person to whom it's pointed out). It is used to indicate the act of directing someone's attention towards something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pointed out to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the act of bringing something to someone's attention. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. With a neutral register and high frequency across diverse sources like news, science, and academia, it is suitable for many writing contexts. While "pointed out to" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "brought to someone's attention" in professional settings. Remember to ensure clarity by explicitly stating who is making the observation and to whom it is directed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought to someone's attention

Formal alternative that emphasizes the act of making someone aware of something.

drew someone's attention to

Similar to 'brought to someone's attention' but implies a more active effort to highlight something.

highlighted for someone

Emphasizes the act of making something more visible or noticeable.

indicated to someone

More direct and less verbose way of saying that something was shown or made clear.

mentioned to someone

A more casual way of saying something was brought up in conversation.

notified someone of

Focuses on the act of informing someone about something, often officially.

alerted someone to

Implies a warning or urgent notice about something.

explained to someone

Emphasizes the clarification of something to someone.

specified to someone

Indicates that particular details were given or clarified.

reminded someone of

Used when bringing something back to someone's memory.

FAQs

What does "pointed out to" mean?

The phrase "pointed out to" means to bring something to someone's attention, often to make them aware of a fact or detail. It implies directing someone's focus to something specific.

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

You can use "pointed out to" when you want to show that someone made another person aware of something. For example, "He "pointed out to" me the error in the report."

Are there any formal alternatives to "pointed out to"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "brought to someone's attention", "indicated to someone", or "highlighted for someone" depending on the context.

Is "pointed out to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pointed out to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. According to Ludwig, it follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for general use.