point out

tell someone about something they have not noticed

B1

What does "point sth out" mean?

To point something out means to draw someone's attention to a specific fact, detail, or piece of information — especially something they may have missed or not noticed. It often has a corrective or clarifying purpose: the person pointing something out wants to make sure others are aware of it. For example, a colleague might point out an error in a report, or a friend might point out that a shop is closed on Sundays. The tone can range from helpful to slightly critical, depending on how it is said, so learners often soften it with phrases like 'I just want to point out that...' or 'it's worth pointing out that...'. This phrasal verb works equally well in everyday conversation and in more formal writing.

Examples

How to use it

point out + that-clause

This is the most common pattern, used when the information being highlighted is a full fact or statement.

My manager pointed out that the figures in the report didn't match.

point out + noun phrase

Used when the object is a thing — such as a mistake, a risk, or a difference.

The reviewer pointed out several flaws in the research.

point + pronoun + out

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'point' and 'out', never after 'out'.

There's an error in your application — someone needs to point it out before you submit.

it + passive + that-clause

The passive form with 'it' as the subject is very natural, especially in formal or written contexts.

It has been pointed out that the original data was never verified.

worth pointing out + that-clause

A common hedging expression used to introduce information politely without sounding too direct or critical.

It's worth pointing out that this policy only applies to full-time employees.

Common Collocations

point out a mistakepoint out a flawpoint out the differencepoint out the riskspoint out the obviouspoint out that-clause

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after the particle

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'point' and 'out'. Placing it after 'out' is incorrect.

✗ She noticed the inconsistency and decided to point out it.
✓ She noticed the inconsistency and decided to point it out.
Confusing 'point out' with 'bring up'

'Bring up' is used to introduce a new topic for discussion, while 'point out' highlights a specific fact or detail that others may have missed or overlooked. They are not always interchangeable.

✗ He pointed out the subject of team communication at the start of the meeting.
✓ He brought up the subject of team communication at the start of the meeting.
Separating with a long object or that-clause

With long noun phrases or that-clauses, keep 'point out' together. Separating them sounds unnatural.

✗ She pointed that the deadline had already passed out.
✓ She pointed out that the deadline had already passed.

Usage

Very versatile and neutral — used equally in conversation, business, and academic writing. It often carries a corrective or clarifying tone, so soften it with hedges like 'I just want to point out that...' or 'it's worth pointing out that...' to avoid sounding critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'point out' sound rude or critical?

Yes, it can sometimes sound a little critical, especially if used directly without any softening. To sound more polite, you can use phrases like 'I just want to point out that...' or 'I hate to point this out, but...' before the main information. Adding a hedge like 'it's worth pointing out' also makes the tone friendlier.

Does 'point out' always need an object?

Yes — 'point out' in this sense always needs an object, either a noun phrase or a that-clause. You cannot use it without something to point out. The most common patterns are 'point out a mistake' or 'point out that something happened'.

Can I use 'point out' in formal writing or academic English?

Absolutely. 'Point out' is one of the few phrasal verbs that is just as natural in formal and academic writing as in conversation. Patterns like 'it should be pointed out that...' and 'as researchers have pointed out...' are very common in essays and reports.

Does 'point out' have other meanings?

Yes — 'point out' can also be used to physically show where something is, like 'She pointed out the exit on the map.' This page focuses on the informational sense, where someone draws attention to a fact or idea rather than a physical location.

What kinds of things can you 'point out'?

Typically abstract things — mistakes, errors, flaws, risks, differences, or facts introduced with a that-clause. You would not normally use 'point out' (in this sense) with a physical place or object — that would be the physical sense of the phrasal verb.

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