tip of the pen

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The small pointed end of a pen that touches the paper and makes marks.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: you can say 'the tip of the pen', 'the pen's tip', or 'the pen tip'.

   Patterns

   • the tip of the pen
   • the pen's tip
   • the pen tip

   The tip of the pen left a tiny dot of ink on the page.

   She carefully touched the tip of the pen to the paper before writing.

   A broken tip of the pen can scratch the paper.

Common combinations

the tip of the pen

He dipped the tip of the pen into the inkwell.

a sharp tip

The pen has a sharp tip that writes very clearly.

the pen tip

The pen tip broke, so I had to buy a new one.

touch the tip to the paper

Touch the tip to the paper gently to avoid a blot.

Synonyms and how they differ

nib

A nib is the metal point of a fountain pen or dip pen, while 'tip of the pen' can also refer to a ballpoint or felt-tip point.

point

Point is a more general word for the sharp end of anything; 'tip of the pen' is more specific and common in everyday speech.

Word family

pen noun

A writing instrument that uses ink.

tip noun

The pointed end of something.

Commonly confused: tip of the pen or tip of the tongue?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tip of the pen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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