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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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pointing that

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pointing that" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words, as "pointing" typically requires a preposition or a different structure to convey a clear meaning. Example: "He was pointing out that the project deadline is approaching."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Krozel.

News & Media

The New York Times

He is pointing that out now.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Even Nick Clegg is pointing that out.

News & Media

The Guardian

Thank you for pointing that out.

News & Media

The Guardian

In those days, nobody was pointing that out.

Thank you for pointing that out, he says.

News & Media

The New Yorker

(Thanks Michael DeGusta for pointing that one out).

(Hat tip to my colleague in Washington, Ed Wyatt, for pointing that out).

News & Media

The New York Times

Although, of course, if I tried pointing that out I was accused of anti-Semitism.

News & Media

Independent

And I think pointing that out has been a useful contribution.

News & Media

The New Yorker

There, he said, pointing: that light brown scar marks the tornado's path.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "pointing that" with clearer alternatives like "indicating that", "highlighting that", or "showing that" for improved grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "pointing" without a preposition like "out" or "to". Using "pointing that" directly can sound incomplete and grammatically awkward. Instead, use the full phrase, such as "pointing out that..."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pointing that" often functions as a gerund phrase, attempting to introduce a clause or statement. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incomplete and often requires a preposition like "out" to properly connect the verb to the clause. See the related phrases for alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pointing that" appears frequently, it's often grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights the need for a preposition (like "out" or "to") to form a complete and coherent expression. Predominantly found in news and media, it aims to draw attention to specific details. For best practice, consider alternatives such as "indicating that" or "highlighting that" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

How can I use the verb "point" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure you include a preposition such as "out" or "to." For example, "He "pointed out" the error" or "She "pointed to" the solution."

What alternatives can I use instead of "pointing that"?

You can use alternatives like "indicating that", "highlighting that", or "showing that" to make your writing more grammatically sound.

Is "pointing that" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "pointing that" is not considered grammatically correct. It's recommended to use alternative constructions for clarity and correctness.

How does the meaning change when using "pointing out that" instead of "pointing that"?

Adding "out" clarifies that you are drawing attention to a specific detail or fact. For example, "He "pointed out that" the deadline was approaching" is clearer than "He pointing that the deadline was approaching."

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: