Evidence suggesting a possible cause

The idea

Point to means indicate a likely cause or explanation. It is common in neutral and formal discussions of evidence. The noun or pronoun follows to: point to a leak, point to it.

Examples

• The damp walls point to a leak upstairs.
• Several clues point to a fault in the wiring.
• The survey results point to a shortage of drivers.
• Her notes pointed to a different explanation.
• The footprints point to an animal entering at night.
• A sudden drop in pressure may point to a blocked pipe.

Watch out

Do not say point a leak to or point it to: the object cannot separate the expression. A clue is not conclusive proof.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. The evidence points ___ a loose connection. (to / out)

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   to

   to connects the evidence with the possible loose connection.

2. Choose the correct option. The figures ___ to a possible decline. (point / phase)

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   point

   point agrees with the plural subject figures and introduces the possible decline.

3. Choose the correct option. The marks pointed ___ a leak. (to / aside)

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   to

   to links the marks with the possible leak in the past.

Use it today

Describe a clue that points to a possible cause.