Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to make a point of

to make a point of

31 3.5
Always do something because you think it is important
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : asegurarse de
  • The first step in this effort is simply to make a point of programming original music.
  • make a point of saying
  • make a point of telling

And I thought, OK, I left LA and I really made a point of never listening to N.W.A.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Even if you are not required to attend faculty meetings, make a point of doing so.

    Academic text (2004)

  • At the 2003 Houston Grand Opera Ball, socialites made a point of wearing dresses designed by Americans.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Here was a Prince who made a point of understanding and knowing about all the citizens in the United Kingdom.

  • Let's make a point of sticking together.

    Greenberg (2010)

  • When a resume as good as yours crosses my desk, I make a point of talking to its owner.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Over the last few days, Selina had, more than once, made a point of seeking him out.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • During my fellowship, I made a point of meeting presidents and chancellors who were widely regarded as successful.

    Academic text (2016)

  • On a visit to the United States in 2010, Medvedev made a point of visiting MIT and Silicon Valley.

    Academic text (2011)

  • So Bernie Sanders and now Hillary Clinton have made a point of talking about making college affordable.

    Stanford

  • Every Sunday, no matter where he is, he makes a point of going to Mass.

Synonyms

to see
vsto make a point of
∞ 1.0

To check whether something is true or has happened

involves personal intent to do it because it matters rather than mere checking
to make sure
vsto make a point of
∞ 1.1

Check or do something so you are sure about it

is about committing to do something because it seems important rather than only verifying
to ensure
vsto make a point of
910 2.8

Make sure that something happens or is true

is more about personal choice and importance than formal guarantee
to make a point
vsto make a point of
129 3.5

Try to do something on purpose because it is important

is done to ensure it happens rather than mainly to show importance
to see to it
vsto make a point of
107 3.5

Make sure something gets done

is driven by personal importance rather than only by obligation
to make it a point
vsto make a point of
21 4.3

Be sure to do something regularly

is done because it feels important rather than from formal habit

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Intentional

to insist
∞ 2.8
to make a point of
31 3.5
to see
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

make a point of infinitive
made a point of past
made a point of past participle
making a point of present participle
makes a point of third person singular

Morphology

make + a + point + of

The noun 'point' (importance/aim) combined with 'make' (to do/create) gives a plausible inference that the speaker is treating something as important or emphasizing it, so learners who know the parts may guess a related meaning. However, the precise conventionalized sense 'take care to; be sure to do something' arises from an established phrasal pattern (make a point of + -ing) and is not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The phrase make a point of may come from the image of making a clear point with your hand or words to show something is important. That's why it means 'to be sure to do something because you think it is important'.