To Point the vs To Point out the

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To point out the' is the more common and idiomatic phrase, used to draw attention to something or someone. 'To point the' is less common and usually used in a more specific context, such as pointing at a particular object or direction.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

To Point the

This phrase is correct but less common. It is usually used in a more specific context, such as pointing at a particular object or direction.

This phrase is used when referring to a specific object or direction that is being pointed at. It is less common than 'to point out the.'

Examples:

He pointed the way to the nearest gas station.
She pointed the mistake in the report.
The tour guide pointed the historical building across the street.
Please point the camera towards the sunset.
He pointed the gun at the target.

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I think in terms of responsibility, it's fair to point the big gun at McDonald's.
I want you to point the AE-35 antenna towards Earth.
There's no need to point the weapon at me.
It's supposed to point the way to Earth.
Don't be afraid to point the toe.
I'll go a distance with you to point the way.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today we are supposed to point the way institutionally.
We are the people who have to point the way forward.
We just need to point the way is all.
You were using coercive therapies, influencing Abel Gideon and Will Graham to point the Ripper investigations in false directions.
This is thus an appropriate opportunity to point the EU at a goal after the year 2000.
We have finally achieved a result and will be able to point the Council in the right direction.
We need the current legislation to point the way, to help ensure that technical development means an affirmation of life.
Impressive personalities, like - among others - the former President Lennart Meri, or Mart Laar, who was twice Prime Minister, have done much in the past to point the country towards Europe.
Members who sit on the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, with Mrs Ayuso, have disregarded party boundaries in trying to point the Commission proposal in a more balanced direction.
As this is a new and complicated issue, our communication does not aspire to find final, binding answers to the questions raised, it simply tries to point the way to possible solutions.
I would like to see those attending the European Council in Gothenburg dare to point the way forward.
I would like to address one point which is not particularly topical but is intended to point the way ahead.
I know that ECU 100 m or ECU 200 m is only a fraction of Europe's annual spending on research, but it could serve to point the way ahead.
The European Union must be the one to point the way in strengthening the global dimension of sustainable development.

Alternatives:

He pointed out the way to the nearest gas station.
She pointed out the mistake in the report.
The tour guide pointed out the historical building across the street.
Please point the camera towards the sunset.
He pointed out the gun at the target.

To Point out the

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is used to draw attention to something or someone.

This phrase is used to draw attention to something or someone, often to highlight a specific detail or issue.