point up
C1Formal, academic, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
To emphasize or draw attention to something, making it more obvious or noticeable.
To highlight or underscore a particular fact, problem, or quality, often in a way that reveals its importance or significance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive, separable phrasal verb (e.g., 'point up the need'). Used to signify the act of making an implicit issue explicit for consideration. Often carries a nuance of revealing an underlying truth or problem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic or semantic differences. Slightly more common in British formal/academic writing.
Connotations
Neutral to formal connotation in both varieties. Implies analytical or critical observation.
Frequency
Low-frequency in general spoken language; higher frequency in written analysis in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] points up [NP][NP] is pointed up by [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports to highlight risks or strategic gaps: 'The review pointed up several inefficiencies in our supply chain.'
Academic
Common in critiques and analyses: 'Her research points up the limitations of the existing model.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used in discussing news: 'This scandal really points up the need for better regulation.'
Technical
Used in formal evaluations to indicate critical findings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The recent outages point up the fragility of our digital infrastructure.
- His analysis served to point up the glaring inconsistencies in the policy.
American English
- The study points up a serious flaw in the methodology.
- This incident points up the need for stricter safety protocols.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher used the example to point up the main idea.
- The documentary points up the challenges faced by rural communities.
- These figures point up a significant trend in consumer behaviour.
- The crisis has pointed up the profound inadequacies of the current regulatory framework.
- His testimony served to point up the inherent contradictions in the defendant's alibi.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine pointing UP at a sign high on a wall that everyone else has missed. You are 'pointing up' the important sign.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVEALING IS DIRECTING ATTENTION UPWARDS (making something visible by lifting it into view).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'указывать вверх' (to point upwards).
- Avoid confusing with 'point out' (which is more common and direct). 'Point up' implies revealing a deeper significance, not just noting a fact.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'point up' as an intransitive verb (e.g., 'He pointed up.' is incorrect for this meaning).
- Confusing it with 'point upwards' (physical direction).
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'show' or 'highlight' would be more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'point up' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is of low-to-medium frequency and is primarily used in formal, written, or analytical contexts.
'Point out' is more common and direct, meaning to indicate or mention a specific fact. 'Point up' implies emphasizing or revealing the underlying significance or implications of something.
Yes, it is often used passively in formal writing. E.g., 'The need for reform was pointed up by the committee.'
Yes, it is separable, though the object often follows directly. E.g., 'It points up a problem' or less commonly, 'It points a problem up.'