what is case and point

Vocabulary.com Blog Pardon the Expression

"case in point" vs. "case and point".

Some English phrases remain intact over the years, and the noun phrase case in point is one of them.

A case in point is a specific example of what's being discussed, as in "People in my family live a long time. My 102-year-old grandmother is a case in point ." This idiom from the mid-1600s began in the courtroom, where a case in point referred to a previous court case that was similar to the one being tried. Outside the courtroom, a case in point is something that illustrates a message perfectly.

The following sentences are cases in point because they use the phrase correctly:

The issue of state aid, which is expected to be the subject of a major clash, was a case in point , she said. (The Guardian)

The issue of single-use plastic versus paper bags is a clear case in point . (Salon)

In linguistics, a fossil phrase is one that only shows up in an idiom and doesn't make sense on its own anymore. In point is one of them; it means something like "ready for action," but no one uses it that way anymore. In point is a case in point of a fossil phrase! Maybe that's why people sometimes think it's case and point . In and and also sound similar. Although you might be able to make a case for the logic of case and point , case in point is the correct phrase.

It's easy to mistake that in for an and , however, as these examples prove:

The case and point here is Andrew Johnson who was impeached in the 1860s. (Salon)

BMX roots itself deep within your soul and it never leaves you.... case and point , one of the fastest ladies to ever snap out of a gate, Jamie Lilly. (Time Magazine)

Not to put too fine a point on it, but to be a good example, you should always use the correct expression: case in point !

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Case in Point or Case and Point – What’s the Difference?

Home » Case in Point or Case and Point – What’s the Difference?

Idioms are a great way to add color to your writing. They can make dry topics seem more relatable, and they help you navigate the daunting world of professional correspondence by signaling familiarity and approachability to coworkers or subordinates.

If you are going to use idioms , though, you had better be sure to get them right. Botching a common expression is a surefire way to lose credibility in the eyes of your readers. One phrase, in particular, is often misused: case in point . Or is it case and point? Read on to learn the truth.

What is the Difference Between Case in Point and Case and Point?

In this post, I will compare case in point vs. case and point . I will outline which of these is the correct expression and use it in its proper context with example sentences.

I will also show you a mnemonic device that can help you choose the correct phrase any time you use it in your own writing.

When to Use Case in Point

• “The way you dress communicates a lot about your personality, case in point, Todd’s sloppy outfit today,” said Todd’s boss.
• It’s not hard to find a job if you are willing to work. Case in point, my office is hiring right now.
• The harder you work, the more successful you will be; Frederick Douglass is a case in point.
• A case in point involved the FBI, which last year paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for a solution to crack an iPhone that had been used by a terrorist in the San Bernardino, Calif., mass shootings in 2015. – The Washington Post

For a more full discussion on the origin of case in point , see here .

When to Use Case and Point

What does case and point mean? Case and point is a misspelling of the expression case in point . It is considered a spelling error.

Below, you can see a graph of that charts the usage of case and point vs. case in point:

As you can see, almost no one uses case and point . Its use barely registers a blip over the last 200 years on English writing.

Trick to Remember the Difference

You should always choose case in point . It is the correct version of this idiom and has been since roughly 1647.

To remember to use case in point , imagine a skilled rhetorician putting the sharp point of his expository blade inside a case after he is done excoriating someone. The point is in the case.

Another way to look at it is that you poking a hole in someone’s argument. This mental image will help you remember that case in point is the correct form of this phrase.

Is it case in point or case and point? Case in point and case and point are different spellings of the same phrase, which means an example that supports one’s argument .

• Case in point is correct.
• Case and point is a spelling error.

If you have any other questions, be sure to check this site for help with other writing topics.

• 1 What is the Difference Between Case in Point and Case and Point?
• 2 When to Use Case in Point
• 3 When to Use Case and Point
• 4 Trick to Remember the Difference

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case in point

noun phrase

Definition of case in point, word history.

1647, in the meaning defined above

Articles Related to case in point

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives on in this phrase.

Dictionary Entries Near case in point

casein plastic

Cite this Entry

“Case in point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case%20in%20point. Accessed 5 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of case in point, more from merriam-webster on case in point.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for case in point

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Case in Point or Case and Point – Meaning & Difference

| Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

Is it case in point or case and point ? It’s actually case in point , but what does the phrase even mean? Well, I’ll explain everything you need to know about its meaning and how you’re supposed to use it when speaking or writing.

Is It Case in Point or Case and Point?

Just about anyone will likely tell you there’s no difference, or they simply don’t know the difference because case in point and case and point are both so widely used that they’re both acceptable in most informal cases.

But the true, correct saying is actually case in point and the only one accepted in formal settings. If you’re using the saying at work or for school, always use the version case in point .

Case in Point Meaning

The common phrase “case in point” simply means example or instance . You would use it to illustrate a certain situation or a core principle, or even an argument. You’ve probably seen it used mostly to refer to something that proves or supports a particular point.

T.V. shows, like Criminal Minds and CSI, come to mind when I see or hear the phrase because they would often say it when they found evidence or were addressing a courtroom.

If you had a corporate job and your new marketing strategy worked, you could look around the room and say, “The success of my marketing strategy is a case in point that the approach I implemented is working.”

Or if you were the mayor of a town or city and your main goal was currently to bring down the sudden rise in crime, you might say, “This new spike in crime is a case in point that I need to address public safety.”

Case and Point Meaning

This version of the phrase, while commonly used, is actually wrong. It’s an eggcorn. Sure, it sounds right, and most people wouldn’t even know the difference. But it’s incorrect and not even an actual phrase.

What Is the Plural of Case in Point?

It’s simply cases in point . Some might tell you it’s case in points , but that would be wrong.

How Do You Use the Phrase Case in Point in a Sentence?

• The success of the new product launch is a clear case in point that our research and development team is doing a fantastic job.
• Her ability to adapt to new technologies is a case in point that she’s the right person for the job.
• The recent increase in sales is a case in point that our marketing strategy is working.
• The growing popularity of the new app among younger generations is a case in point that technology is changing the way we communicate.
• The new education program’s success is a case in point that investing in education is crucial for our future.
• A growing number of volunteers for the charity is a case in point that people are still willing to give back to their community.
• Positive feedback from customers is a case in point that our customer service is top-notch.
• The success of the new startup is a case in point that there is still room for innovation in the market.

Good Grammar Is a Case in Point!

I hope my quick guide helped explain the meaning and proper usage of the phrase case in point . You should be confident in using it now in both speech and writing. Knowledge of phrases like this is a case in point of your ability to expand your mind.

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• It is what it is
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a case in point   ​Definitions and Synonyms

Shoppers tend to think that high prices mean high quality . Electronics are a case in point .

American definition and synonyms of a case in point from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education.

This is the American English definition of a case in point . View British English definition of a case in point .

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Case And Point: What Is the Definition of the Interesting Phrase “Case And Point”?

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The idiomatic phrase “case and point” is not often heard in conversation or seen in writing. However, sometimes it does appear. When it does, you should be aware that this idiom is simply a misspelling of another idiom and means the same as “case in point.” Here you will find the meaning of the proper spelling of “case in point” and some information on the origin of this phrase. You will also find examples of how to use the phrase properly, with the proper spelling, in conversations/statements and other ways to say this phrase while still conveying the same meaning.

Table of Contents

Case And Point

Case and point meaning.

The meaning of the idiomatic phrase “ case in point ” is a provided example by someone that supports their argument in some way.

Origin of this idiom

The phrase “case in point” and, by default, its misspelling “case and point,” is derived from the once shorter phrase “in point.” In French, the word pointe means a point in relevance to a situation at hand. The phrase was lengthened to “case in point” in 1647 and has been used this way ever since.

“Case And Point” Examples

Examples in statements.

A statement made by a celebrity to an entertainment magazine during an interview.

• “I believe my career has taken off and my acting has gotten better. Case in point : compare my most recent film to the first commercial I did as a child.”

A statement made by a politician about enacting new laws.

• “We need to enact a law that will protect homeowners from going to jail for shooting an intruder in their home. Case in point : A young man just went to jail for protecting his family from an intruder and this should not be happening.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between two friends.

• Friend 1: I think men with muscles are overrated.
• Friend 2: Really? I love a guy who is in shape and not afraid to show it.
• Friend 1: Muscles just look gross to me.
• Friend 2: Really? You think muscles are gross. Case in point : Dwayne Johnson .
• Friend 1: Okay. He isn’t bad for a guy with muscles.

A conversation between two students.

• Student 1: I don’t think we should have homework on the weekends.
• Student 2: Why not?
• Student 1: Because I have way too much to do on the weekends. Case in point : this weekend I have to mow the lawn, weed the yard, clean my room and get it all done before my date.

Other Ways to Say “Case And (In) Point”

There are many ways to say “case and (in) point.” Some other ways you can say this and still convey the same meaning include:

• For example
• For instance
• Allow me to illustrate
• Good illustration
• Example of this

Case And Point | Image

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Definition of a case in point – Learner’s Dictionary

A case in point.

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Translations of a case in point

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Case in Point vs. Point in Case

Dissecting the points in case you're curious..

• by Court Sullivan
• November 8, 2005

E ver heard the term “case in point”? The term has lost all meaning to me. Sort of like “make your bed” and “brush your teeth.”

Try it: take any classic phrase, twist it around, name a column after it, start a website called it, work on it for 5 years, and then let me know if there isn't something weird about ever using the phrase the “normal” way in public again. I'll be sure to keep my phone on vibrate in 2010.

Either way, the reason I came up with the PIC name in the first place is because I've always had major beef with the term “case in point.” To me, when you are giving an example of some event to bolster a theory, the resulting effect would be the point within that particular case—the case being the specific incident you refer to, and the point being the reason it relates to your initial theory. Thus, the point is enclosed within the case. The opposite would be way too abstract.

Case in point: A glass case in the Museum of Natural History jammed into the tip of an arrowhead. ( practical…if you've just dropped acid for the first time )

More to the point, the term “case in point” actually originates from the French term à point , meaning something relevant or to the point. In the 17th century, this resulted in one being able to use the term “in point” by itself to label something as “revelant.” Over a hundred years later, a gaggle of lawyers squabbling over precedents demanded that some cases be produced to prove relevance. Thus, a case in point. Or as some call it, the birth of literary confusion and an over-litigious society.