Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding 'Point to': Definitions & Usage

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'point to' means to indicate, suggest, or direct attention to a particular piece of information, conclusion, or direction.

Examples in context

The evidence points to a breakthrough in the investigation.
Many signs point to the inevitability of change.
His actions always point to a deeper motivation.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'point to' means to indicate, suggest, or direct attention to a particular piece of information, conclusion, or direction.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Point to' cannot be split by an object between 'point' and 'to'.

Neutral

'Point to' is suitable for both informal and formal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

'Point to' requires an object, like evidence or information, to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	point to	The symptoms point to a viral infection.
Past Simple	pointed to	Her research pointed to several environmental factors.
Present Continuous	pointing to	The finger is constantly pointing to new evidence.
Present Perfect	have pointed to	Scientists have pointed to climate change as a cause.

💡 When to Use

Highlighting evidence

Use 'point to' when referring to evidence or signs that indicate a particular conclusion or outcome.

Example: "Recent studies point to the benefits of a balanced diet."

Directing attention

Employ 'point to' when directing attention to a problem or situation that requires acknowledgement.

Example: "The map points to the location of the treasure."

Suggesting probabilities

Use 'point to' to suggest potential causes or effects based on available information or findings.

Example: "All signs point to a successful outcome for the project."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: The data points at a new trend.

✅ Correct: The data points to a new trend.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'point to' indicates direction or indication.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: He is pointing at all problems.

✅ Correct: He is pointing to all problems.

💡 Tip: Use 'point to' for suggesting or indicating something.

Incorrect subject-verb agreement

❌ Wrong: These facts point at a solution.

✅ Correct: These facts point to a solution.

💡 Tip: 'Point to' needs an accurate subject-verb agreement.

Practice

POINT TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

The evidence points to a breakthrough in the investigation.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

Many signs point to the inevitability of change.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

His actions always point to a deeper motivation.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

indicate suggest

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The reports ___ to a need for policy change."

point to

into

onto

"When all paths are obscure, let intuition point to the heart's true direction, where clarity often resides in simplicity."

In Context

In 1936, the discovery of penicillin ushered in a new era in medicine. Alexander Fleming’s seemingly accidental encounter with moldy petri dishes would point to revolutionary treatments for bacterial infections. At the time, Fleming was experimenting with antibacterial properties, yet couldn’t realize the full potential. However, his findings pointed to possibilities that initially went unnoticed. It was Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain who later worked on these initial discoveries. Their efforts at the University of Oxford pointed to penicillin's potential as a life-saving drug. By 1942, their work caught the attention of war-torn nations in dire need of medical advancements. Large-scale production, prompted by the exigencies of World War II, pointed to the urgent necessity of harnessing this newfound antibiotic. The ability of penicillin to cure previously lethal infections saved countless soldiers and civilians alike. The historical significance of these events points to how collaboration and continued research can transform an initial observation into a cornerstone of medical science. Today, the story of penicillin not only highlights scientific curiosity but also stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Point To

What is the origin of point to?

The phrase 'point to' originated in the 16th century, combining 'point' from Latin 'punctum,' meaning 'prick or dot,' with 'to,' implying direction or focus.

Can point to be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'point to' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate, direct, or suggest an idea or conclusion.

What is the difference between point to and indicate?

'Point to' often implies direction or highlighting specific details, whereas 'indicate' is generally used for revealing, showing, or pointing out broadly.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

POINT TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Point To

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega