Point Out in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

To use point out in a sentence, put the person being told first and the thing noticed second, or move the object between the verb and its particle: “She pointed out the mistake.” When the object is a pronoun, English insists on pointed it out.

Point out at a glance

• Point out is a transitive phrasal verb and is separable: point out the error or point the error out.
• A pronoun object must sit between the two parts: point it out, never point out it.
• Its forms are points out, pointed out and pointing out.
• It often introduces a that-clause or a wh-clause.
• The commonest error is adding a preposition, as in point out about the delay.

What does point out mean?

Point out is a phrasal verb meaning to draw someone’s attention to a fact they may not have noticed. The Cambridge entry for point out gives both the noticing sense and the literal sense of indicating something with a hand or gesture. Where the purpose is to make a point land rather than merely to name it, call attention to the detail is the closer phrase.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Point out presents a fact calmly; it does not prove it, and it does not guarantee the fact is welcome. A colleague can point out a cost that ends a project, so the verb is neutral about consequences. For physical direction alone, English prefers point at or point to, which need no object beyond the thing indicated.

How do you use point out in a sentence?

Let the object decide the shape of the sentence. Point out is separable, so a noun object may follow the particle or sit inside it, while a pronoun object must sit inside. The verb is transitive, and the person told joins the sentence with to.

The particle can also strand at the end of a relative clause, so a writer may say the error that she pointed out rather than the error that she pointed out earlier. Both are standard, and the split version is the one editors reach for when a pronoun would otherwise sound wrong.

Point out in a sentence: examples across contexts

Point out sounds the same in every register, but the object changes with the setting. The nine sentences below move from a classroom to a safety report, and each one names the fact being raised and the person it was raised with.

Two things stay constant. The fact is always presented as worth knowing, and the person told is never the direct object: grammar keeps the fact in the object slot and sends the listener to a to-phrase.

Point out vs mention, note and observe

Point out overlaps with three reporting verbs and is stronger than all of them. mention can be passing, note is often written rather than spoken, and emphasize presses a weight that point out only implies.

Verdict: choose point out when the fact matters and someone should take notice, mention when the reference is casual, note when something is recorded, and emphasize when the point needs deliberate weight.

Word forms and grammar of point out

Point out follows the regular verb pattern for point, and it has no noun form of its own. The table also lists the preposition pair that learners reach for by mistake.

Keep the verb and the related noun apart in your own writing: you point out a fact, and you make a point, but you never make a point out or point a point.

Common mistakes with point out

• Incorrect: She pointed out me the mistake. Correct: She pointed out the mistake to me. Rule: The thing noticed is the object; the person told follows with to.
• Incorrect: Please point out it. Correct: Please point it out. Rule: A pronoun object must sit between the verb and its particle.
• Incorrect: He pointed out about the delay. Correct: He pointed out the delay. Rule: Point out takes a direct object, so it needs no preposition after out.
• Incorrect: The guide pointed at that the bridge was closed. Correct: The guide pointed out that the bridge was closed. Rule: Point at shows physical direction; point out introduces a fact or clause.
• Incorrect: She pointed out that was expensive. Correct: She pointed out that the trip was expensive. Rule: A that-clause needs its own subject after that.

Practice using point out

Work through the six items, then read the reason beside each answer rather than only checking the key.

1. Fill the gap: The editor ______ out the repeated sentence.
2. Choose the better word: From the tower he (pointed at / pointed out) the harbour far below.
3. Correct the error: I pointed out to her the problem.
4. Build a sentence: use point it out about a spelling mistake in a friend’s poster.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a safety report — the inspector pointed out the worn cable, or the inspector totally called out the dodgy cable?
6. Join with a that-clause: The witness saw the car. She should point out the colour was blue.

Answers

1. pointed — the past tense matches the completed editing.
2. pointed at — indicating a physical direction takes point at.
3. I pointed out the problem to her — the fact is the object, and the person follows with to.
4. Model answer: I saw the spelling mistake and pointed it out to my friend.
5. The inspector pointed out the worn cable — it keeps the calm, factual register.
6. The witness pointed out that the colour was blue — the clause carries the fact she raised.

The bottom line

Use point out in a sentence to raise a fact somebody should notice, and shape the object according to what follows: a noun can sit on either side of out, a pronoun must sit between, and a person told always follows with to. The two nuances that decide most sentences are these: the verb is separable, and the listener is never the direct object. Where you only need to refer to something in passing, mention is the lighter choice.

Frequently asked questions about point out

Is point out separable?

Yes. A noun object can follow the particle or sit between the parts: point out the error and point the error out are both correct. A pronoun object, however, must sit between them, so English demands point it out and never point out it. That single rule prevents the commonest mistake with this verb.

What is the difference between point out and point at?

Point at shows a physical direction, as when someone points at a bird, and it focuses on the gesture. Point out shares a fact or a piece of knowledge, as when a friend points out a missed turn. Only point out takes a that-clause, which is a quick way to tell the two apart in a sentence.

Can point out take a that-clause?

Yes, and the clause is one of its most useful patterns. A sentence such as she pointed out that the form was unsigned introduces a complete statement without naming a noun object. The that may be omitted in speech, as in he pointed out the price had risen, but keeping it reads more clearly.

Where does the person told go in the sentence?

The person told follows point out in a to-phrase, and the fact stays as the direct object. So a writer says she pointed out the fault to me, not she pointed me out the fault. When no listener needs naming, simply drop the to-phrase, as in she pointed out the fault.

Have you ever wanted to draw attention to a specific detail in a sentence or text? When you “point out” something, you are highlighting or indicating a particular piece of information for clarity or emphasis.

This common phrase is often used to direct someone’s attention to a specific element within a larger context. Whether you’re identifying an important fact, correcting a misunderstanding, or simply drawing focus to a noteworthy detail, “pointing out” serves as a useful tool in effective communication.

7 Examples Of Point Out Used In a Sentence For Kids

• Point out the letter “A” in the alphabet.
• Can you point out the color blue in the picture?
• Point out the triangle shape in this drawing.
• Let’s point out all the animals in the picture.
• Point out the sun in the sky.
• Can you point out the red car?
• Let’s all point out our favorite fruit.

14 Sentences with Point Out Examples

1. Point out the key points of the lecture for the students who missed the class.
2. During group discussions, make sure to point out relevant practical examples to support your arguments.
3. Point out any errors or inconsistencies in the research paper before submitting it.
4. When studying for exams, it’s helpful to point out the important formulas and concepts to focus on.
5. In a debate competition, it’s essential to point out the flaws in your opponent’s arguments.
6. Point out the benefits of joining student clubs and organizations on campus.
7. When giving a presentation, remember to point out the main findings of your research.
8. Point out the cultural significance of traditional Indian festivals during a discussion on diversity.
9. During a group project, point out the different strengths of each team member for better collaboration.
10. Point out the importance of time management skills for balancing academics and extracurricular activities.
11. When discussing career options, point out the potential growth opportunities in different industries.
12. Point out the relevance of incorporating technology in education for better learning outcomes.
13. In a literature class, point out the recurring themes and motifs in the assigned texts.
14. Point out the key points from the previous lecture to provide context for the current topic being discussed.

How To Use Point Out in Sentences?

Point Out is used to draw attention to someone or something in a conversation. It is often used to highlight a specific detail or aspect that may have been overlooked or unnoticed.

Here’s how to use Point Out in a sentence:

1. Direct Attention: “I wanted to point out that the meeting has been rescheduled to next Monday.”
2. Highlight: “She was quick to point out the errors in the report.”
3. Emphasize: “The teacher pointed out the importance of completing the assignment on time.”
4. Clarify: “Let me point out that we need to follow the new procedure for project submissions.”
5. Correct: “He pointed out that the statement made by the colleague was incorrect.”

Remember to use Point Out when you want to emphasize, clarify, highlight, or correct something in a conversation. It adds emphasis and helps ensure that the specific detail you are mentioning is noticed and understood by others.

Practice using Point Out in your daily conversations to become more comfortable with incorporating it into your language.

Conclusion

In this article, various sentences with the phrase “point out” have been used to highlight the importance of drawing attention to specific information or details. When we point out something, we are directing focus or bringing clarity to a specific point or issue. By using this phrase effectively, one can help others understand key concepts, clarify misunderstandings, or emphasize significant aspects of a conversation or discussion.

Whether pointing out errors, providing guidance, or indicating noteworthy factors, using the phrase “point out” can be a useful communication tool in effectively conveying messages. By incorporating this phrase in conversations, written communications, or presentations, individuals can ensure that essential information is brought to light and properly understood by others, thus improving overall clarity and comprehension.