the earlier point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the earlier point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to a previously mentioned idea or argument in a discussion or text. Example: "As I mentioned in the earlier point, the data supports our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

All that brings back the earlier point that music is not an international language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That goes to the earlier point about the need for an active and involved citizenry.

The New Yorker

In the same vein as the earlier point on honesty, previous experiences have made me somewhat bitter towards timely excuses.

The Guardian

This is an example of the power of a field theory over the earlier point of view by which each interaction between particles was dealt with individually and the result summed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Milan would eventually draw 1-1 through a late Ibrahimovic strike, but scoring at the earlier point might have given them the chance to go on and chase a winner.

The Guardian - Sport

This argument relates to the earlier point that two economies may experience the same rate of growth of capital but that overall growth and technical progress will proceed at a much more rapid rate in one than in the other because of differences in the quality of new capital goods produced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

MAVERICKS 108, CELTICS 82: Dallas reached its 50th victory at the earliest point in team history.

The New York Times - Sports

History: The Leicester School of Art was founded in 1870 – the earliest point in the academic history of the Institution.

Independent

Six months' time, when his cards are on the table, is the earliest point when the success of this appointment can start to be judged.

The Guardian - Business

The late-term abortions, coming after the earliest point when a fetus might survive outside the womb, are the most controversial, even among some who favor abortion rights.

The New York Times

This will be the earliest point in a modern campaign that the parties have selected their nominees, when neither nominee has been an incumbent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the earlier point" to smoothly transition back to a previously discussed idea, ensuring your audience recalls the initial context. This maintains coherence and strengthens your overall argument.

Common error

Avoid using "the earlier point" if the referenced idea isn't clear or immediate to your audience. If too much has transpired since the original mention, briefly restate the point for clarity. Otherwise, it can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the earlier point" functions as a discourse marker, specifically an anaphoric reference. This means it refers back to something already mentioned in the text or conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to connect ideas and maintain coherence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

22%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the earlier point" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, serving as an anaphoric reference to previously discussed ideas. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig indicates it's utilized across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, with a neutral formality level. To ensure clarity, especially when considerable discussion has passed, consider restating the original idea briefly. Alternatives include "the previous argument" or "as previously mentioned" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preceding remark

Replaces "point" with "remark", focusing on a spoken or written statement.

the previous argument

Substitutes "point" with "argument", emphasizing a logical claim or reasoning.

the aforementioned idea

Replaces "earlier point" with "aforementioned idea", highlighting a previously discussed concept.

the foregoing consideration

Uses more formal language to refer to a previously discussed matter.

the above statement

Substitutes "point" with "statement", referring to something that was said or written before.

as previously mentioned

Indicates that something was discussed at an earlier time.

returning to what I said before

More verbose, explicitly signals a return to a previous statement.

going back to the initial topic

Refers to a broader subject or area that was introduced earlier.

reiterating a past idea

Highlights the act of repeating or emphasizing a prior concept.

concerning the initial thought

Emphasizes a return to an original idea or line of thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "the earlier point" in a sentence?

You can use "the earlier point" to refer back to something you've already mentioned, like this: "As I stated in "the earlier point", funding is crucial for this project's success."

What phrases are similar to "the earlier point"?

Alternatives include "the previous argument", "the aforementioned idea", or "as previously mentioned", depending on the context.

Is it necessary to restate the earlier point when using "the earlier point"?

Not always, but if there's a risk your audience might not remember it clearly, briefly summarizing "the earlier point" can improve comprehension.

What's the difference between "the earlier point" and "the later point"?

"The earlier point" refers to something discussed previously, while "the later point" would refer to something discussed subsequently. It's all about temporal order within the discussion or text.