put a point on

USAGE SUMMARY

"put a point on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the final or concluding action in a process or statement. Example: "After discussing all the pros and cons, let's put a point on this debate and come to a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I liked that I was playing one of the strongest players – put a point on the board early for the team". McIlroy has previous for poor timekeeping.

The Guardian - Sport

Lloyd Khaner Davee, if I can just put a point on it, as far as, you know, because no one's really looking at last year, especially because, you know, there was a lot of underperformance.

Forbes

"I liked the idea of playing one of their strongest players and go out there a put a point on the board early for the team, and I was able to do that," McIlroy said.

Huffington Post

"It is just great to put a point on the board for Europe and edge us closer to trying to retain this Cup," McIlroy said.

Independent

SARAH GREEN CARMICHAEL: To sort of put a point on it, do you think that it is possible for a woman to be a truly authentic leader?

Harvard Business Review

At the beginning of the match, Taylor scored a takedown for 2 points, but Dake was able to escape to put a point on the board in the first period.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Putting a point on a pencil — making it functional — is to lead it out of Plato's cave and into the noonday sun of utility.

The New Yorker

Of course, Maher had his own sardonic way of putting a point on the matter.

Huffington Post

Putting a point on the top will decrease air resistance.

WikiHow

"What's difficult is putting a point estimate on it," said Jocelyn Kiley, associate director of research at Pew Research Center.

The New York Times

Then he put a finer point on the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put a point on" to clearly signal the conclusion of a discussion or argument, making your stance unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "put a point on" in the beginning or middle of a discussion. This phrase is best reserved for summarizing or finalizing your thoughts, not introducing them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a point on" functions as a concluding remark or emphasis. It's used to signify the end of a discussion, clarify a thought, or highlight a crucial aspect. Ludwig shows various contexts, from sports commentary to formal business discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Science

6.25%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put a point on" serves as a useful tool to bring closure or emphasize a critical aspect in various discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, providing clarity and finality. When writing, reserve "put a point on" for your concluding remarks or summaries to make a clear, impactful statement. For alternatives, consider "emphasize", "highlight", or "finalize" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finalize

Focuses specifically on bringing something to an end or making it complete.

nail down

Suggests reaching a firm conclusion or agreement, emphasizing precision and resolution.

emphasize

Focuses on highlighting importance, lacks the sense of finality present in the original phrase.

underscore

Similar to emphasize, it highlights or stresses something but doesn't necessarily conclude an action.

conclude

Simply means to end or finish, lacking the nuance of emphasizing or clarifying a final point.

highlight

Draws attention to something, but without the implication of completing a task or argument.

stress

Indicates importance, but doesn't carry the connotation of finalizing something.

put the finishing touches on

Implies adding the final details to complete something, often used in creative or project-based contexts.

drive home

This alternative indicates a forceful attempt to make a point clear, with a slightly more aggressive tone.

hammer home

Similar to "drive home", this implies a very assertive and potentially repetitive way of making a point.

FAQs

What does "put a point on" mean?

The phrase "put a point on" means to emphasize something, bring it to a conclusion, or clarify a particular aspect. It's often used to signal the end of a discussion or to highlight a key takeaway.

How can I use "put a point on" in a sentence?

You can use "put a point on" to finalize a decision or to highlight the most important part of a discussion. For example, "To "nail down" this agreement, let's put a point on the key terms."

What can I say instead of "put a point on"?

You can use alternatives like "emphasize", "underscore", or "highlight" depending on the context.

Is "put a point on" formal or informal?

"Put a point on" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "finalize" or "conclude".