we point to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we point to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being referred to or highlighted. Example: "In our study, we point to the importance of regular exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We point to things without giving much thought to what a sophisticated act it really is.

The New York Times - Science

Today we point to the option value from the company's pipeline, particularly the imminent data from cardiovascular product candidate darapladib which could trigger significant upgrades.

The Guardian - Business

But each thing we point to as utterly unique often turns out, after closer inspection, to be something shared with other animals.

The Guardian

So we point to good examples that some American states, or cities, or companies are implementing — but not to the federal government.

The New York Times

Posner asserts that my friend Bill Moyers and I are guilty of "hyperbole" when we point to the right-wing domination of our media discourse during the Bush era.

The New York Times

We point to all the United Nations Security Council resolutions, the International Atomic Energy Agency statements, the C.I.A. analyses, the Silberman-Robb report, the Senate Intelligence Committee findings — if we were wrong, we were in good and honest company.

The New York Times

As a curious example of how refinement may sometimes defeat accuracy, in spite of human entropy, we point to the neat little slip of paper the English publishers of the book had to insert between pages 264-65 "Erratum.

The New Yorker

On the proposal to raise the retirement age to 60, Moore-Bick added: "We point to the copious evidence of other nations which allow uniformed service at an advanced age, and suggest caution".

The Guardian

Not to diminish the purists' complaints, we point to another, more basic source of disgruntlement: the drifting of Britain's literary heritage to the United States, for which Waugh is currently something of a poster boy.

The New Yorker

We point to gaps in knowledge at three levels.

Ecological Engineering

Suppose we point to you now, and then describe someone or something existing at another time.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use this phrase to transition from a claim to the data or literature that validates it.

Common error

Avoid using 'point at' when you mean to suggest a causal link or indicate evidence. While 'point at' usually describes a physical gesture with a finger, "we point to" is the standard idiom for indicating a reason, an example, or a result in formal discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we point to" functions as a transitive verb phrase where 'we' is the subject and 'to' is the prepositional head of the object. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to establish a logical connection between a statement and the evidence supporting it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Informal Writing

3%

Social Media

1%

Fiction

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "we point to" is a highly effective and grammatically sound phrase for any writer looking to anchor their arguments in evidence. Analysis from Ludwig shows its strength in Scientific and Professional contexts, where it acts as a precise tool for indication. Whether you are highlighting a specific data point or identifying a cause-and-effect relationship, this phrase remains a versatile choice. It is notably distinct from 'point at' because of its metaphorical capacity to link abstract ideas rather than just physical objects. Use it confidently in formal reports, news articles, and research papers to provide clear direction to your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we highlight

places a stronger emphasis on making a specific point more prominent to the reader

we call attention to

is a slightly more wordy way to explicitly direct the focus of the audience

we refer to

is a more general way to mention or direct attention to something already known

we emphasize

stresses the importance of a particular factor rather than just identifying it

we indicate

suggests a more clinical or objective reporting of a sign or result

we cite

specifically refers to providing a source or authority as evidence

we identify

focuses on the act of recognizing or naming a specific element

we suggest

offers a more tentative or cautious interpretation of evidence

we single out

implies choosing one specific item from a larger group for special consideration

we denote

is used in technical or semiotic contexts to mean 'to stand as a name for'

FAQs

How to use "we point to" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce evidence, such as: "In our analysis, "we point to" the rising global temperatures as a key driver of migration." It functions similarly to "<a href="/s/we+highlight" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we highlight" or "<a href="/s/we+indicate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we indicate".

What can I say instead of "we point to"?

Depending on your goal, you could use "<a href="/s/we+refer+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we refer to", "<a href="/s/we+emphasize" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we emphasize", or "<a href="/s/we+cite" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we cite" if you are referencing a specific source.

Is "we point to" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is widely used in academic journals. According to Ludwig, it is very common in scientific literature to show correlations or direct readers to specific sections of a study.

What is the difference between "we point to" and "we suggest"?

"we point to" is generally more assertive, indicating that the evidence is clear, whereas "<a href="/s/we+suggest" target="_blank" rel="alternative">we suggest" implies a degree of hypothesis or caution.