a critical juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

"a critical juncture" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a crucial or pivotal moment in a situation or event. Example: The country's economy was at a critical juncture, with unemployment rates at an all-time high and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A critical juncture".

The New Yorker

"This is a critical juncture".

The New York Times

China stands at a critical juncture.

The New York Times

And he arrives at a critical juncture.

The New York Times - Sports

The letter comes at a critical juncture.

The Guardian

The war is at a critical juncture.

The New York Times

The meeting comes at a critical juncture.

MIT Technology Review

This information left the Sullivans at a critical juncture.

The New York Times

The release of the report comes at a critical juncture.

The New York Times

The top adviser's remarks came at a critical juncture.

The Guardian

The confrontation comes at a critical juncture for the GOP.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a critical juncture" to emphasize the importance of a decision, event, or period, indicating that it will have significant consequences. It's particularly effective when discussing strategic planning, historical turning points, or moments of high uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical juncture" too frequently in your writing. While it is a valid expression, overuse can diminish its impact. Use synonyms like "pivotal moment" or "turning point" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical juncture" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It describes a specific point in time or a situation characterized by high importance and potential for significant consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical juncture" is a widely recognized and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a crucial point in time or a situation laden with importance. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is valid across diverse contexts, though primarily found in News & Media sources. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the potential consequences and consider synonyms to avoid overuse. Its function is to highlight pivotal moments and turning points. It is important to not overuse the phrase, and make sure the situation that is described as a "critical juncture" actually has a great importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes the turning point aspect, highlighting the significance of the instant.

a crucial stage

Highlights the importance and necessity of what's happening at the present moment.

a turning point

Focuses on the idea of a change in direction or course.

a decisive phase

Implies that the current period will determine the outcome.

a key moment

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the current instant.

a significant period

Emphasizes the notability and potential long-term implications of the current time.

a crossroads

Suggests a point where a choice must be made, leading to different paths.

a critical phase

It shares the importance of what's happening at the present, but from a process perspective.

a make-or-break situation

Indicates that the outcome will either be a success or a failure.

a moment of truth

Focuses on the idea of revelation and facing reality.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical juncture" in a sentence?

Use "a critical juncture" to emphasize that a particular moment is decisive. For example, "The company's future is at "a critical juncture" as it decides whether to invest in new technologies."

What are some alternatives to "a critical juncture"?

You can use alternatives such as "pivotal moment", "crucial stage", or "turning point" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a juncture "critical"?

A juncture is "critical" when the decisions or events occurring at that time will significantly influence the future outcome. It implies a high degree of importance and potential for lasting impact.

Is "critical juncture" formal or informal?

"Critical juncture" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly colloquial, it is readily understood and accepted in a wide range of writing and speech.