the point is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the point is" is a common expression in written English.
It is used as a way to lead into the main argument or focus of a sentence. For example, "The point is that we should re-evaluate our current approach to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The point is philosophical.

The New Yorker

The point is clear.

The New York Times - Books

"The point is.

The New Yorker

The point is taken.

Independent

But the point is irrelevant.

The New York Times

"The point is pointing down.

The New York Times - Science

"But the point is this.

Independent

The point is they existed.

The New York Times

The point is, I'm starving.

The New Yorker

The point is the pattern.

The New York Times

The point is, he won.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the point is" to clearly introduce the most important aspect of your argument or explanation. It signals to the reader that a crucial piece of information is coming.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "the point is", as it can become repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the point is" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a shift to the most important or relevant aspect of a discussion or argument. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in highlighting key information, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the point is" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the most important information in a statement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While highly functional, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider more sophisticated transitions in extremely formal writing. Alternatives like "the crux of the matter is" or "what's important is" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the crux of the matter is

Replaces "point" with "crux", emphasizing the most critical aspect.

the essential thing is

Substitutes "point" with "essential thing", highlighting importance.

the key thing to remember is

Adds emphasis on recall and importance.

what's important is

Focuses on the significance of the following statement.

the main idea is

Replaces "point" with "main idea", focusing on the central concept.

in essence

Offers a concise summary of the overall idea.

ultimately

Highlights the final or most important consideration.

fundamentally

Highlights the underlying and basic component.

the long and short of it is

Provides a brief summary after a longer explanation.

to put it simply

Introduces a simplified explanation of a complex issue.

FAQs

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

Use "the point is" to emphasize the most important part of your statement. For instance, "We need to reduce emissions, "the point is", our future depends on it".

What can I say instead of "the point is"?

You can use alternatives like "the crux of the matter is", "the essential thing is", or "what's important is" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "the point is that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the point is that". The inclusion of "that" simply adds a bit more structure to the sentence but doesn't change the meaning.

When should I avoid using "the point is"?

Avoid using "the point is" in very formal writing where a more sophisticated transition might be preferred. Also, refrain from overusing it, as it can make your writing sound repetitive.