provide a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide a point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to give a specific argument, idea, or piece of information in a discussion or presentation. Example: "In your presentation, please provide a point that clearly outlines the main argument of your research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Murphy and Jane provide a point of entry and identification.

The Guardian - Film

I would like to provide a point, perhaps, for additional discussion.

The New York Times

We want to provide a point of view for the MTV Generation.

The New Yorker

The new supervisory board would provide a point of contact for whistleblowers wanting to expose tax cheats.

The Guardian - Business

"There must be sufficient sense of presence and substance of sound to provide a point of stability.

The New York Times - Arts

To provide a point of comparison, each volunteer also collected dust from an exterior door and then mailed the samples to Fierer's Colorado lab.

The New Yorker

But that's what leadership is for — to look at the chaos and provide a point of view about what needs to be done.

The New York Times

Ljubicic said a countdown clock — call it a shot clock or a serve clock — would resolve the ambiguity and also provide a point of interest for fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Buyers will be able to access the scheme via participating housebuilders and the "HomeBuy agents" appointed by the government to provide a point of contact for those wishing to access affordable home ownership.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Instead, you should provide a point-by-point response to each reviewer's concerns.

Science Magazine

We've asked Arora if he will provide a point-by-point analysis.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, use "provide a point" to clearly state the benefit or value proposition of a product or service.

Common error

While "provide a point" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation; opt for simpler alternatives like "say something" or "make a comment" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide a point" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "provide" is the verb and "a point" is the direct object. This signifies the action of offering or supplying a specific idea, argument, or reference, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provide a point" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily to offer clarification or support within a discussion or argument. While generally neutral in tone, it is more frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts than in casual conversation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that "provide a point" is best used when aiming to introduce a specific, well-supported idea or argument, while overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "offer a perspective" or "give a reason" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present an argument

Replaces "provide a point" with "present an argument", emphasizing the act of formally introducing a claim.

offer a perspective

Replaces "provide" with "offer" and "point" with "perspective", changing the nuance slightly to suggest a viewpoint rather than a specific argument.

propose a viewpoint

Replaces "provide a point" with "propose a viewpoint", suggesting the introduction of a particular perspective.

give a reason

Substitutes "provide a point" with "give a reason", focusing on the justification or explanation aspect.

put forth an idea

Replaces "provide" with "put forth" and "point" with "idea", indicating the introduction of a concept for consideration.

supply a justification

Changes "provide a point" to "supply a justification", highlighting the support or validation aspect.

suggest a reference

Replaces "provide a point" with "suggest a reference", focusing on providing a source of information.

furnish an explanation

Replaces "provide" with "furnish" and "point" with "explanation", creating a more formal tone and focusing on clarification.

offer a consideration

Changes "provide a point" to "offer a consideration", emphasizing thoughtfulness and deliberation.

advance a thesis

Substitutes "provide a point" with "advance a thesis", suggesting a more substantial and developed argument.

FAQs

How can I use "provide a point" in a sentence?

You can use "provide a point" when you want someone to offer a specific argument, idea, or piece of information, such as, "Can you provide a point to support your claim?"

What are some alternatives to "provide a point"?

Instead of "provide a point", you could "offer a perspective", "give a reason", or "present an argument", depending on the context.

Is "provide a point" formal or informal?

"Provide a point" is generally considered neutral to formal. In more casual settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "provide a point" and "make a point"?

"Provide a point" suggests offering a specific idea or argument as support or clarification, while "make a point" can simply mean to state something noteworthy. For instance, providing a point involves adding a detail. Making a point is simply an assertion.