Turning point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Turning point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant change or event that marks a decisive moment in a situation or process. Example: "The signing of the peace treaty was a turning point in the conflict, leading to a new era of cooperation between the nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Turning point?

The Economist

A turning point.

The New Yorker

Is it a turning point?

The Economist

Was it a turning point?

The New Yorker

It proved the turning point.

Independent

The game's turning point?

The New York Times - Sports

"She was the turning point," Gehry said.

Independent

It was a turning point for me.

The New York Times

It was a turning point for him.

The New York Times - Sports

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The turning point came in 1975.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turning point" to emphasize a clear shift or change in direction. It's most effective when the implications of the shift are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "turning point" for minor changes or events. Save it for situations where the impact is substantial and clearly alters the course of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turning point" functions primarily as a noun, often preceded by an article or possessive pronoun. It identifies a specific moment in time when a significant change or decision occurs, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turning point" signifies a crucial juncture where a significant change or decision occurs, altering the course of events. As validated by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. While "turning point" is quite versatile in its application, use it to describe changes with considerable consequences. Alternatives include "critical juncture" and "decisive moment". The high frequency and authoritative sources underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical juncture

Replaces "turning point" with a more formal term emphasizing the importance of the moment.

decisive moment

Focuses on the decisiveness of the event, highlighting that an important decision needs to be made.

watershed moment

Emphasizes the scale of impact that is caused by the turning point.

critical threshold

Highlights the arrival at a crucial limit or point.

inflection point

Synonym to "turning point", often used in mathematics or statistics to denote change in curvature.

pivotal time

Refers to a moment when something is being balanced, and will fall on one side or another.

tipping point

Highlights the aspect of sudden change, when a series of small occurrences become significant enough to cause a larger change.

crossroads

Implies a crucial moment of choice or decision, diverging from different courses.

game changer

Indicates something that affects the outcome of a situation or game in a big way.

moment of truth

Denotes the moment when you find out if what you are doing is right or successful.

FAQs

How can I use "turning point" in a sentence?

The phrase "turning point" is used to indicate a moment in time when a significant change occurs. For example: "The discovery of penicillin was a "turning point" in medicine".

What are some alternatives to using "turning point"?

You can use alternatives such as "critical juncture", "decisive moment", or "watershed moment", depending on the specific context.

Is "turning point" formal or informal?

"Turning point" is a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more frequently encountered in news, academic, and professional writing.

What's the difference between "turning point" and "tipping point"?

"Turning point" signifies a moment of change, while "tipping point" describes the critical point in a situation that leads to a significant and often irreversible effect. A "tipping point" is a specific type of "turning point".