point out — draw attention to information
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to tell someone about something so they notice it or understand it better.
Say it like a native
Textbook Allow me to draw your attention to an important fact.
Native I should point out that the deadline's moved.
'Point out' is how people flag a fact in conversation; 'allow me to draw your attention to' is speech-day formal.
Pattern: point out + noun / point out + that-clause
In use
- She pointed out a mistake in my essay before I handed it in.communication
- In my opinion, it’s important to point out the benefits of recycling when discussing environmental issues.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She pointed out me my mistake.
✓ She pointed out my mistake. / She pointed my mistake out to me.
'Point out' takes the thing noticed; the person needs 'to' ('point it out to me').
Common collocations
point out + fact— that..., a mistake, the risks, a problem
Don't confuse it
'Point' can mean to show direction with your finger, but 'point out' means to mention or explain something important.