pointer towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointer towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a suggestion, hint, or direction related to a topic or idea. Example: "The recent study serves as a pointer towards the need for further research in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Sports

Travel

Arts

Business

Music

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The cross-border co-operation within the West Indies driven by the Cricket World Cup will provide a useful pointer towards progress toward the region's proposed economic integration.

The Guardian - Business

A dangerous pointer towards uneasy times.Sink or swimCan outsiders help to stabilise the regime?

The Economist

The piece was simple, clear and gave the audience a practical pointer towards change.

The Guardian - Arts

The telepathy functions as a metaphor, a pointer towards freedom of thought and speech.

The Guardian - Books

The heroine's name is Dana, an anagram of nada: is this a pointer towards nihilism?

The Guardian

Montefiore, now a friend, suggests they were a pointer towards the stylistic brio he would demonstrate in Cloud Atlas.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"You could begin to release details of cases where we have strong pointers towards Chinese cyber-espionage.

The Washington Post

The book offers exercises at the end of each chapter as practical pointers towards changing your self-beliefs.

The Guardian - Money

But a public consultation which was more than a publicity stunt could, along with some eccentricities, throw up useful pointers towards radical reform.

The Economist

If this is the case (and I'd be grateful for pointers towards any relevant research) it is grossly unfair to discriminate on this basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recent evidence suggests that it is now the Baftas, not the Golden Globes, that provide the most reliable pointers towards Oscar glory.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pointer towards" when you want to suggest a possible direction, trend, or implication based on available information. For instance: "The increase in sales could be a "pointer towards" a successful product launch."

Common error

Be cautious about using "pointer towards" as definitive proof. It suggests a possibility, not a certainty. Overstating the conclusion can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointer towards" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a direction, trend, or suggestion. It serves to introduce a potential outcome or implication. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pointer towards" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to suggest a direction, trend, or implication. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. While it's grammatically sound, it's crucial to avoid overstating conclusions based solely on what the phrase suggests. Instead, use it to introduce possibilities and potential outcomes supported by evidence. Alternatives such as "indication of" and "hint at" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indication of

This alternative focuses on the act of indicating something, rather than pointing in a direction.

hint at

This suggests a more subtle suggestion or clue.

sign of

This alternative implies that something is evidence of a larger trend or phenomenon.

suggests

A more direct synonym focusing on the act of proposing an idea.

leads to

This phrase focuses on the consequence or result of something.

contributes to

This suggests a more active role in bringing about a certain outcome.

tends to

This alternative highlights a general inclination or pattern.

moves toward

This phrase emphasizes the act of progressing in a particular direction.

is indicative of

This alternative conveys that something serves as a sign or symptom of something else.

alludes to

This suggests a more indirect or suggestive reference.

FAQs

How can I use "pointer towards" in a sentence?

Use "pointer towards" to suggest a direction, trend, or implication. For example, "The data provides a "pointer towards" potential solutions."

What can I say instead of "pointer towards"?

You can use alternatives like "indication of", "hint at", or "suggests" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pointer towards" or "points to"?

"Pointer towards" and "points to" are both grammatically correct, but "points to" is more direct, while "pointer towards" is used to introduce direction and intent.

What's the difference between "pointer towards" and "leads to"?

"Pointer towards" indicates a possibility or suggestion, while "leads to" implies a more direct causal relationship.