She was pointing out to the photo

Question

"Who is this?" She said while pointing out to the photo.

Is it correct to use "point out" in this context?

Nila - where do you find all these idiosyncrasies in the English language? :) - ian-hill, MAR 25, 2010

Answer 1

I would say while pointing at the photo, or pointing to the photo. You do not need the word "out".

Answer 2

Pointing out the photo. / Pointing to the photo. / Pointing at the photo. are all possible (but the first means to draw attention to it, to distinguish it from its surroundings).

Pointing out to the photo. (not said/possible)

This sums it up in my opinion. - ian-hill, MAR 25, 2010

Answer 3

Not correct the way you have it, but it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say the following:

"Who is this," she said, while pointing someone out in the photo. The pronoun someone is placed between the verb and preposition, and you still have the phrasal verb.

I have included a link to a phrasal verb dictionary just in case you are interested in having a look.

phrasal verbs

To "point something out" and to "point out somthing" are both correct. - ian-hill, ABR 2, 2010

Answer 4

"Who is this?" She said while pointing to the photo.

The above example is the correct version.

Depending on your point of view. I would say both of mine are correct. - Eddy, MAR 25, 2010

Answer 5

People can use the phrase 'to point something out', but it is not correct in this case. Eddy has the correct phrase

Answer 6

Who is that? She said while pointing out the photo.

(it means the other person had not seen or noticed the photo)

This could be a situation where out might be used.