Make a Point of Doing vs. Make a Point To Do
Cambridge directly documents make a point of doing something for deliberately ensuring that an action is done. The cited construction uses the preposition of before the -ing form; do not infer make a point to + infinitive as a parallel complement merely from meaning. Other point/to-infinitive structures can have different syntax.
Use make a point of + -ing for this documented construction.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| deliberately ensure an activity happens | make a point of + -ing | Use the documented construction. |
| make a point to + verb as substitute | not the target pattern | Prefer “make a point of doing” for this idiomatic sense. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Do you mean deliberately make sure you perform an action?
If yes: Use “make a point of + -ing.”
If no: If you mean something else by “point,” use the construction for that separate sense.
Examples
I make a point of replying within a day.
The idiom takes “of + -ing.”
She made a point of thanking every volunteer.
The construction marks deliberate effort.
We make a point of checking the figures twice.
The gerund follows the preposition “of.”
Further guidance
Boundary
The cited construction uses the preposition of before the -ing form; do not infer make a point to + infinitive as a parallel complement merely from meaning. Other point/to-infinitive structures can have different syntax.
Construction
Cambridge directly documents make a point of doing something for deliberately ensuring that an action is done.
Decision
Use make a point of + -ing for this documented construction.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- make a point of (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Preferred lexical authority directly documenting make a point of doing something.