Point out - Point to - Point at
The verb point can take several prepositions. Three commonly confused ones are:
Point at (usually physical)
1.aim directly at (intransitive)
2.aim or direct finger, object, etc, directly at something (transitive)
Point to (physical or figurative)
1. indicate position / point in the direction of
2. draw attention to
3. indicate or suggest something
Point out
1. explain/comment on something
2. draw attention to
E.g.
1.Don't point at (to) people; it's rude — No señales a la gente (con el dedo); es de mala educación
2.The man pointed a gun at (to) me — El hombre me apuntó con un arma
1.John pointed to/at the forest and explained its history — John señaló el bosque y explicó su historia
2. Critics point to/out the issue of benefit fraud — Lo criticos señalan el problema del fraude en la prestaciones sociales
3. All the evidence points to (at) the accused being the killer —Todas las pruebas apuntan a que el acusado es el asesino
1.He has pointed out that the crisis is getting worse — Ha apuntado que la crisis va a peor
2.They pointed out (to) my mistakes — Señalaron (puntualizaron) mis errores
2.The guide pointed out/to the Roman ruins — El guía señaló los restos romanos
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