points of order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "points of order" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal meetings or parliamentary procedures to refer to a request for clarification or to address a procedural issue. Example: "During the meeting, several points of order were raised regarding the voting process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

50 points of order... 1.

Independent

Lorraine Kelly interviews Russell Brand and raises 18 points of order in one sentence.

The Guardian

Labor takes points of order and Pyne sits down, well satisfied with himself.

The Guardian

But they said they would use points of order to slow the legislation, whose passage is a priority for President Bush.

The New York Times

There's also what you might call an accumulation of points of order – details where Lord Justice Leveson wasn't clear or contradicted himself – that need sorting out.

The Guardian

As Tories raised points of order to complain with the Speaker, Ed Vaizey, Conservative MP for Wantage, said: "Dr David Kelly was a constituent of mine.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

But it may have been exactly because al-Qaeda operated in the shadows that Mr Bush's methodical "points-of-order" approach was ill suited to capture its significance.Be that as it may, voters are not inclined to blame Mr Bush more than Mr Clinton.

The Economist

"To address this issue, my measure creates a point-of-order to prohibit any diversion of funds from the retirement program to the disability program," Johnson said.

Huffington Post

To our knowledge, in all the works concerned with fixed points of order-Lipschitz mappings, the involving cone is necessarily assumed to be normal.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

This classical approach is still common in the recent literature on fixed points of order-preserving self-maps on partially ordered complete metric spaces (e.g., [3 6, 8, 10, 11]).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

— the point of order.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "points of order" in formal writing, always ensure that the context clearly indicates a procedural challenge or request for clarification within a structured environment like a meeting or parliamentary session.

Common error

Avoid using "points of order" in contexts that do not involve formal meetings or structured debates; instead, use more general terms like "questions" or "objections" in less formal scenarios.

Linguistic Context

Points of order functions as a plural noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. It denotes formal inquiries or objections regarding procedural rules in structured settings, as shown in Ludwig's examples from parliamentary and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "points of order" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase within formal contexts such as parliamentary procedures, official meetings, and debates. As Ludwig AI highlights, its main function is to address procedural issues or seek clarification, contributing to the orderly conduct of discussions. While its register is formal, usage is widespread in news, encyclopedias, and science domains, indicating its importance in documenting structured communications. For less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "procedural inquiries".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

procedural objections

Focuses more on the act of objecting based on procedure, rather than the inquiry itself.

procedural inquiries

Highlights the aspect of seeking information about procedure.

rules of order

Emphasizes the governing guidelines being questioned or clarified.

parliamentary procedure

Broader term referring to the established methods of conducting business in a parliamentary setting.

meeting protocols

Highlights the set of rules and guidelines followed during a meeting.

agenda items

Refers to the specific topics or issues scheduled for discussion, potentially leading to points of order.

formal complaints

Highlights the act of formally registering a disagreement or objection, which might arise as a point of order.

technicalities of procedure

Highlights the fine details and formal aspects within a procedure.

objections on a technicality

Emphasizes challenges based on minor or precise elements of the regulations.

matters of procedure

Focuses on the formal aspects and regulations followed during a discussion or meeting.

FAQs

How is "points of order" used in a sentence?

In a sentence, "points of order" typically refers to raising a procedural question or objection during a meeting or formal debate. For example: "During the parliamentary session, several "points of order" were raised concerning the proposed amendment".

What's a simple way to define "points of order"?

"Points of order" are formal inquiries or objections related to the rules and procedures of a meeting or debate. They ensure orderly discussion and adherence to established protocols.

When is it appropriate to raise "points of order"?

It's appropriate to raise "points of order" when you believe a procedural rule has been violated, when you need clarification on the correct procedure, or when you want to challenge a decision based on procedural grounds.

Are there situations when raising "points of order" is not suitable?

Raising "points of order" might be unsuitable in informal discussions or meetings where strict adherence to parliamentary procedure is not required. In such cases, more informal methods of questioning or objecting may be preferable.