pointing on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointing on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically a misuse; the correct preposition is "at" or "to" depending on the context. Example: "She was pointing at the map to indicate the location."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

She can spell and communicate on a second-grade level by pointing on a communication board.

The New York Times - Health

The growth of the network advances with the barbed ends of the peripheral actin filaments pointing on average outward, as also demonstrated in the simulations [27].

Plosone

The person with ID shows their degree of agreement with a particular statement by pointing on a visual four-point scale ranging from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'.

BMJ Open

A good monologue should be alternatively funny, harrowing, and touching, pointing on no one emotion or no one state by itself.

WikiHow

"I looked at this on Google," he said, pointing on a map to the area around Liberty State Park.

The New Yorker

"Try this instead," she implored, pointing on the menu to a tofu dish with seafood and vegetables.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

She scored a point on that one.

Huffington Post

So grab those and point them on.

WikiHow

There is still much finger-pointing on both sides about the failure of the 1994 peace treaty that gave Angola its longest cease-fire in 30 years.

The New York Times

Manchester United's late attempt to finalise David de Gea's transfer to Real Madrid ended in chaos and finger-pointing on Monday night when the paperwork was not signed off in time at the end of a hectic and sometimes baffling day of transfer movement that also saw the Old Trafford club make Monaco's Anthony Martial the most expensive teenager in world football.

The Guardian - Sport

Thirty-six ponnts on 14 attempts.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating direction or focus, use "pointing at" or "pointing to" instead of "pointing on". For example, say "She was pointing at the map" or "The data is pointing to a different conclusion."

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "pointing" when indicating direction or reference. The correct prepositions are generally "at" or "to". Saying "pointing on" can sound awkward and is often grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointing on" functions as a verb phrase, where "pointing" is a verb in the present participle form. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI indicates it is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pointing on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it appears in a variety of sources, including news media, science, and wikis, it is not a standard or recommended phrasing. The correct prepositions to use are typically "pointing at" or "pointing to", depending on the context. The phrase is not frequent, and therefore writers should prefer "pointing at" or "pointing to", or other more suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pointing at

Uses the correct preposition to indicate direction or focus.

pointing to

Employs a more standard preposition indicating direction or reference.

focusing on

Shifts the focus to concentration or emphasis, changing the context slightly.

indicating on

Alters the phrasing to use a verb form of indication, which is semantically similar but less common.

directing attention to

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and elaborate expression.

highlighting

Emphasizes prominence or importance, modifying the meaning slightly.

drawing attention to

Uses a more descriptive phrase indicating the act of making something noticeable.

referring to

Implies a connection or allusion, altering the specific focus.

alluding to

Indicates an indirect reference, changing the nature of the statement.

hinting at

Suggests an indirect or subtle indication, shifting the emphasis.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "pointing" in a sentence?

The verb "pointing" typically requires the prepositions "at" or "to", depending on the context. For example, "He was pointing at the sign" or "The evidence is pointing to a specific suspect".

What can I say instead of "pointing on"?

Alternatives include "pointing at", "pointing to", "focusing on", or "referring to", depending on the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "pointing on" or "pointing at"?

"Pointing at" is generally the correct and grammatically preferred phrase to indicate direction or location. "Pointing on" is typically considered incorrect in standard English.

What's the difference between "pointing to" and "pointing at"?

"Pointing at" typically indicates a physical direction, while "pointing to" often indicates evidence or suggestion. For example, "He was pointing at the North Star" versus "The data is "pointing to" a specific conclusion".