Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

In point vs of point

In point appears in fixed expressions such as beside the point or in point of fact. Of point is not a standard modern English phrase.

Quick answer

Which expression is correct?

Use established expressions with point, such as in point of fact, on point, or beside the point. Of point is generally not idiomatic in modern English.

Her comment was beside the point.
In point of fact, the meeting started early.
His criticism was on point and useful.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
in point of fact

Adding emphasis or correction

In point of fact is a formal expression meaning actually or in reality.

In point of fact, nobody complained.
In point of fact, the data was incomplete.
2
beside the point

Irrelevant information

Use beside the point when something is not relevant to the discussion.

That argument is beside the point.
The price is beside the point right now.
3
on point

Accurate or relevant

On point is an informal expression meaning precise, effective, or relevant.

Her analysis was on point.
The presentation stayed on point throughout.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
in point of fact
In point of fact, he had already left.
formal expression meaning actually
of point
Of point is not a standard modern English expression.
generally considered nonidiomatic
to the point
Please keep your comments to the point.
relevant and concise
on point
His answer was on point.
accurate or appropriate

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of point as a fixed phrase

Modern English does not normally use of point alone as an idiomatic expression.

✕ Her comment was of point. ✓ Her comment was to the point.

Confusing in point and in point of fact

The longer fixed phrase is much more common and natural.

✕ In point, the report was wrong. ✓ In point of fact, the report was wrong.

Using beside of the point

The correct phrase is beside the point.

✕ That issue is beside of the point. ✓ That issue is beside the point.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. ___, the company had warned investors earlier.
2. Your example is beside the ___.
3. Her feedback was really ___ point.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is of point correct English?

Not as a normal fixed expression in modern English.

What does in point of fact mean?

It means actually or in reality and is slightly formal.

Is on point informal?

Yes. It is common in spoken and informal written English.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account