a decisive turning point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive turning point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment or event that significantly changes the direction or outcome of a situation. Example: "The signing of the peace treaty was a decisive turning point in the conflict, leading to a lasting resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But a decisive turning point came with a 1945 Supreme Court decision that forced the AP to become a truly open-membership cooperative, owned and governed by the competing news agencies that use it, which run the ideological gamut from Fox News to the New York Times.

Vice

The time spent in Leipzig marked a decisive turning point in the thought of Schelling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The year 1848 was a decisive turning point in Swiss history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Europe has swung from gloom to cautious optimism repeatedly during its financial crisis, and few analysts considered the ruling a decisive turning point.

The New York Times

Boehner's decision to call a halt to a Tea Party-inspired strategy that was proving deeply unpopular in opinion polls proved a decisive turning point.

The Guardian

This week was a decisive turning point in the 2016 election, and there have been remarkably few of them in an campaign that is supposedly volatile.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The moves marked a potentially decisive turning point in an investigation that has been under way, often fitfully, since 2006, when a Scotland Yard inquiry into complaints by three members of Britain's royal household, including Prince William and Prince Harry, uncovered a pattern of illegal hacking into the princes' cellphone messages.

The New York Times

The arrests this month signaled a potentially decisive turning point in the investigation, which has been under way for five years.

The New York Times

When Djokovic beat Murray in the Australian Open final this year, the Serb's wobble towards the end of the first set when he looked ready to collapse before a remarkable and quick recovery caught Murray looking the other way, was an early and decisive turning point.

The Guardian - Sport

The decisive turning point in military disengagement came with Abacha's sudden death in June 1998.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is the author of "The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning Point in American Politics".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decisive turning point", ensure the context clearly establishes the before-and-after states. Highlight specifically how the situation changed as a result.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive turning point" for minor events. Reserve it for moments that truly alter the trajectory of a situation or process; otherwise, you risk sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive turning point" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies a specific moment or event that marks a significant change in direction or outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive turning point" is a common phrase used to denote a significant moment of change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the shift that occurred as a result. Alternatives like "a pivotal moment" or "a critical juncture" can be used to add nuance or variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant turning point

Adds the adjective "significant" to further emphasize the importance of the turning point.

a pivotal moment

Replaces "turning point" with "moment", emphasizing the significance of a specific instant.

a critical juncture

Substitutes "turning point" with "juncture", highlighting the importance of the timing and connection of events.

a watershed moment

Emphasizes a clear division or separation between what came before and what comes after.

a game changer

Uses an informal idiom to indicate a significant shift that alters the course of events.

a transformative event

Focuses on the transformative nature of the event, highlighting its ability to cause change.

a major milestone

Highlights the achievement aspect of the turning point, marking significant progress.

a moment of truth

Implies a critical point where important decisions or revelations occur.

a crossroads

Uses a metaphor to describe a point where different paths or decisions diverge.

a point of no return

Emphasizes the irreversibility of the change or decision made at this point.

FAQs

What does "a decisive turning point" mean?

The phrase "a decisive turning point" refers to a moment or event that significantly alters the direction or outcome of a situation, process, or historical period.

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

You can use "a decisive turning point" to highlight a specific event that changed the course of something. For example: "The invention of the printing press was "a decisive turning point" in the spread of knowledge."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive turning point"?

Alternatives include "a pivotal moment", "a critical juncture", or "a watershed moment" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very decisive turning point"?

Adding "very" might be redundant since "decisive" already implies a significant impact. It's generally better to use the phrase "a decisive turning point" on its own or choose a stronger alternative if you want to emphasize the impact even more.