point out a mistake

Meaning

This phrase means to direct someone's attention to an error, inaccuracy, or oversight. In a business context, it is used when reviewing documents, code, financial reports, or strategies. It is a neutral term, but the action itself requires tact to avoid sounding overly critical.

Examples

• I appreciate you pointing out the mistake in the financial spreadsheet before the meeting.

  I appreciate you pointing out the mistake in the financial spreadsheet before the meeting.

• During the review, the client pointed out a minor mistake in the spelling of their name.

  During the review, the client pointed out a minor mistake in the spelling of their name.

• It is important to point out mistakes constructively so the team can learn from them.

  It is important to point out mistakes constructively so the team can learn from them.

• She hesitated to point out her manager's mistake during the presentation.

  She hesitated to point out her manager's mistake during the presentation.

• The editor pointed out several formatting mistakes in the final draft of the report.

  The editor pointed out several formatting mistakes in the final draft of the report.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He pointed a mistake in my report.

  ✓ He pointed out a mistake in my report.

  The phrasal verb is 'point out'. Without 'out', 'pointed' just means to physically aim a finger at something.

• ✗ She pointed out me the mistake.

  ✓ She pointed out the mistake to me.

  The phrasal verb 'point out' cannot take an indirect object directly after 'out'. You must point something out *to* someone.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you notice any errors in the contract, please ___.

  💡 Call attention to them.

  Show answer

  point them out

• Thank you for ___ in our presentation slides.

  💡 Showing where the error was.

  Show answer

  pointing out the mistake