pointed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"pointed to" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to suggest a specific direction or goal. For example, "She pointed to the store across the street and said that was where we were going shopping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mam pointed to Dad.

The New Yorker

He pointed to another.

The New York Times

I pointed to one.

The New Yorker

He pointed to the sea.

The New Yorker

He pointed to a Bible.

The New Yorker

She pointed to her fingers.

The New York Times - Magazine

She pointed to her heart.

The New York Times

She pointed to the bowl.

The New Yorker

He pointed to two issues.

The New York Times - Sports

He pointed to his hookah.

The New York Times

Fabian pointed to his sign.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointed to" when you want to clearly indicate a direction, location, or specific item being referenced.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what is being pointed to. If there's any potential for confusion, rephrase to be more explicit. For example, instead of "He pointed to it", specify "He pointed to the map".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointed to" functions primarily as a verb phrase, specifically acting as the past tense of the verb 'point' followed by the preposition 'to'. It signifies the act of directing attention towards a specific object, location, or idea, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pointed to" functions as a versatile verb phrase that effectively directs attention, clarifies meaning, and guides focus in both literal and figurative senses. With a "Correct" grammatical status, as confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used across various contexts, especially within news and media. To enhance clarity, it is recommended to specify what is being pointed to, and various alternatives such as "indicated" or "gestured towards" can be employed to achieve similar communicative goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicated

This alternative provides a direct synonym, focusing on the act of showing or making something known.

gestured towards

This phrase adds a physical element, suggesting a hand or body movement to show something.

drew attention to

This alternative emphasizes the act of making something noticeable or important.

highlighted

This verb suggests emphasizing or marking something as significant.

referenced

This focuses on making a connection or alluding to something else.

called attention to

Similar to "drew attention to", but can imply a more formal or deliberate action.

directed focus to

This phrase shifts the attention or emphasis towards a specific target.

singled out

Implies choosing one specific item or person from a group.

specified

This alternative focuses on making something definite and clear.

identified

This means to recognize or point out exactly who or what something is.

FAQs

How do I use "pointed to" in a sentence?

Use "pointed to" when you want to direct attention to something specific. For instance, "She "pointed to" the exit sign" indicates a specific location.

What can I say instead of "pointed to"?

You can use alternatives like "indicated", "gestured towards", or "drew attention to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pointed at" instead of "pointed to"?

While "pointed at" is also grammatically correct, "pointed to" is often preferred when indicating a direction or providing information about something. "Pointed at" tends to emphasize the act of aiming.

What's the difference between "pointed to" and "referred to"?

"Pointed to" typically involves a physical gesture or direct indication, while "referred to" involves mentioning something indirectly or making an allusion. For example, "He "pointed to" the building" versus "He "referred to" the building's history".