Expressions with ‘POINT’ are very commonly used in English to refer to particular moments, facts, or opinions during a conversation or text. Let’s look at some of the most common expressions with ‘POINT’:
At this point
At the present time; right now.
- Perhaps at this point we should show the video.
At that point
At that specific moment.
- The music stopped, and at that point people started to leave.
At some point
At an unspecified moment. (We don’t know when).
- We know that at some point the epidemic started on the west coast.
At one point
At a certain moment in the past (one time only)
- The number of viewers at one point had reached one million.
At no point
Not at any time; never (inversion is used here)
- At no point did the interviewer make me feel uncomfortable.
Come/get to the point
Be specific; say what is most important.
- It took the speaker a long time to come to the point.
Get the point
Understand what has been said.
- There’s no need to insist. I get the point!
Get the point across
Make people understand what you are saying
- A diagram or picture will help you get the point across.
From (my) point of view
In (my) opinion; the way I see it
- From my point of view the matter does not require further investigation.
Have a point
You are right about something, or what you have said should be considered.
- You’ve got a point there. A professional photographer would do a better job.
Illustrate a point
Clarify or explain by showing an example.
- The speaker illustrated his point by showing a diagram.
Make a point
Put across a proposition clearly and convincingly.
- Her mother sat back, convinced that she had made her point.
Make a point of . . .
Make a special effort to do something.
- She made a point of speaking to each guest.
Prove one’s point
Show that one is right about something.
- He showed a video to prove his point.
Sore point
A subject to be avoided because it causes anger or embarrassment.
- Don’t talk to Mary about weight – that’s a sore point!
Up to a point
To some extent, but not competely.
- I agree up to a point, but I’m not entirely convinced.
Point at something
Indicate something by extending one’s finger.
- People were nudging each other and pointing at the sky.
Point something out
Call attention to something.
- The manager pointed out that the hotel had recently been renovated.
Take someone’s point
Accept the validity of what someone says or suggests.
- That aspect is important too. I take your point.
That’s beside the point
Irrelevant or not related to the subject being discussed
- The fact that I was ill and couldn’t come is beside the point. I should have been invited!
The point is . . .
The fact is; what is important to note is . . .
- The point is that he doesn’t have a driving licence, so he can’t drive us!
The point of no return
You must continue what you have started, because you have gone so far that it is impossible to go back.
- I’ve sold my house. Now I’ve reached the point of no return and I must move out.
That’s not the point
The essential element or most important aspect of something being discussed.
- Whether he can come or not is not the point. What matters is that we send him an invitation!
There’s no point in . . .
There’s nothing to be gained from doing something.
- There’s no point in writing to her. She never reads a letter!
What’s the point in . . . ?
You are asking if a particular action would be useful and add to the conversation.
Conclusion
Expressions with ‘POINT’ are very useful in English conversation and writing to refer to specific moments in time, emphasize important facts or opinions, and clarify meaning. Mastering these common ‘POINT’ expressions can help improve your fluency and comprehension.