The idiom "a case in point" refers to a specific instance or example that serves to clearly illustrate or support a general statement, argument, or principle. It's used to provide concrete evidence or demonstrate the validity of a claim by showcasing a relevant situation. The phrase emphasizes that the example is directly applicable and helps to understand the broader concept being discussed.
The phrase's origin is not precisely documented, but it likely evolved from legal and academic contexts where providing specific cases or examples is crucial for demonstrating the validity of arguments.
The register of "a case in point" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's appropriate for academic writing, professional communication, and informed discussions, but can also be used in everyday conversation.
"A case in point" is a relatively fixed phrase, but it offers some grammatical flexibility. It can be used as a subject complement, an appositive, or within a sentence to introduce an illustrative example. It's most often used after a general statement that requires supporting evidence.
While you can't significantly modify the phrase itself (e.g., "a situation in point" sounds wrong), you can modify the surrounding sentence to express nuances such as doubt or emphasis, as in "Lee is arguably a case in point."
It sounds unnatural to use "a case in point" in a literal sense, such as referring to a legal case in a courtroom. Its purpose is to connect a specific example to a broader concept, not just to introduce any random example.
These examples are sourced from a case in point on Ludwig.guru.
"are a case in point." — The New York Times
"Herewith, a case in point." — The New York Times
"Western Europe is a case in point." — The New York Times
"Assisted dying is a case in point." — The Guardian - Opinion
"American Jews are a case in point." — The Economist
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/a+case+in+point
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| for example | A general and widely applicable way to introduce an example. |
| to illustrate | More formal, emphasizing the clarifying nature of the example. |
| as an illustration | Similar to "to illustrate" but often used to introduce a more detailed example. |
| to give you an idea | More informal, aiming to provide a general understanding. |
| as proof | Stronger emphasis on the example serving as evidence. |
| consider this | Direct and engaging way to introduce an example for consideration. |
| take for instance | A common and versatile way to introduce an example. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| a case in point | A specific example that illustrates a general principle or argument. | Neutral to Formal | Purely literal contexts; overly informal settings. |
"A case in point" is almost always used figuratively. While "case" can refer to a literal instance or situation, the idiom itself implies that the specific example is being used to illustrate a broader principle or argument, making it a figurative expression.
Both phrases introduce examples, but "a case in point" suggests a more direct and compelling relevance. "For example" is a general way to introduce an illustration, while "a case in point" implies that the example strongly supports the preceding statement and serves as clear evidence.
Substituting "case" with "situation" or "example" changes the established idiom. The phrase "a case in point" has a specific, recognized meaning, and altering it makes the sentence sound unnatural and less idiomatic, potentially confusing the reader.
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