Difference between point at and point to?

[ROBINDESBOIS]

What is the difference in meaning between point out and point to?
Many thanks in advance.

[Perikles]

What is the difference in meaning between point out and point to?
Many thanks in advance.Your thread title is confusing:

Point at = physically indicating a direction with an arm, hand and finger. Children are often told it is rude to point at a person.

Point out = to explain, to make an observation. He wanted to go shopping, but I pointed out that it was Sunday and the shops were closed.

Point to = to indicate in a vague way, to suggest. He lived in Paris, which pointed to a frivolous lifestyle. (Not a very good example :thinking:)

[chileno]

Your thread title is confusing:

Point at = physically indicating a direction with an arm, hand and finger. Children are often told it is rude to point at a person.

Point out = to explain, to make an observation. He wanted to go shopping, but I pointed out that it was Sunday and the shops were closed.

Point to = to indicate in a vague way, to suggest. He lived in Paris, which pointed to a frivolous lifestyle. (Not a very good example :thinking:)

Probably Rusty will point to you that "you are being too harsh with your self"

Would that be a better example or Am I off, as always? :)

[Rusty]

Perhaps someone will point out to you that you're being too harsh with yourself. :)


Point to may also be synonymous with point at in certain circumstances.
For example:
Can you point to the oak tree in this picture?
Can you point at the oak tree in this picture?

[ROBINDESBOIS]

In a word?

[chileno]

Perhaps someone will point out to you that you're being too harsh with yourself. :)
hahaha!

Point to may also be synonymous with point at in certain circumstances.
For example:
Can you point to the oak tree in this picture?
Can you point at the oak tree in this picture?

In a word?

Yes. My thumb broke the rule. :D

[Rusty]

I didn't mention this before, but it's also quite alright to say:
Can you point out the oak tree in this picture?

All three prepositions can follow point in this sort of question, and have the same meaning.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

gracias