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 At' - Definition, Use, and More

"When wisdom points at the heart, the journey to understanding begins, guiding the soul towards enlightenment and true clarity."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'point at' means to direct a finger, weapon, or other object towards someone or something to indicate or identify a target.

Examples in context

During the guided tour, the guide pointed at each artifact, sharing fascinating stories behind them.
The teacher pointed at the equation on the board, explaining the complex math involved.
Witnesses pointed at the suspect during the police lineup, aiding in the investigation.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'point at' means to direct a finger, weapon, or other object towards someone or something to indicate or identify a target.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and the particle cannot be separated.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts without significant change in tone or meaning.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	point at	She points at the map to show the way.
Past Simple	pointed at	He pointed at the picture and laughed.
Present Continuous	pointing at	They are pointing at the sunset from the hilltop.
Present Perfect	have pointed at	I have pointed at the issue several times during the meeting.

💡 When to Use

Indicating an object

Use it when you need to physically indicate something specific with your finger or another object.

Example: "He pointed at the sign to get my attention."

Accusing someone

Employ it in situations where you wish to blame or attribute responsibility to someone.

Example: "She pointed at him when asked who broke the vase."

Highlighting an issue

To bring attention to a problem or aspect that needs particular focus.

Example: "The lawyer pointed at inconsistencies in the witness's statement."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: She pointed to the error.

✅ Correct: She pointed at the error.

💡 Tip: Use 'at' for precise targeting; 'to' for general direction.

Missing object

❌ Wrong: He pointed at.

✅ Correct: He pointed at the door.

💡 Tip: Always specify what is being pointed at.

Overuse in formal writing

❌ Wrong: The report should point at solutions.

✅ Correct: The report should highlight solutions.

💡 Tip: Use 'highlight' or 'emphasize' for formality.

Practice

POINT AT - 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

During the guided tour, the guide pointed at each artifact, sharing fascinating stories behind them.
Computers The Digital Leap
2
Listen to example

The teacher pointed at the equation on the board, explaining the complex math involved.
Computers The Digital Leap
3
Listen to example

Witnesses pointed at the suspect during the police lineup, aiding in the investigation.
Computers The Digital Leap

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

indicate direct at

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The detective _______ at the suspect during the interrogation."

lighted at

point at

turned at

looked at

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Point At

What is the origin of point at?

The verb 'point' comes from the Latin 'punctare,' meaning to mark or stencil. The phrase 'point at' likely evolved as English became more structured, signifying the action of directing attention or blaming.

Can point at be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'point at' can be used in both formal and informal settings. It is versatile and commonly understood, making it suitable when indicating targets or attention in various contexts.

What is the difference between point at and indicate?

While 'point at' often involves physical gestures to draw attention, 'indicate' can be more abstract, signaling information or directions without necessarily using a physical action.

Browse All Computers The Digital Leap 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 AT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Point At

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega