a decisive year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a year that has significant importance or impact on a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The year 2020 was a decisive year for the global response to climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Dr. Douste-Blazy believes in the power of good deeds and prays that 2011 will be a decisive year for political decision makers who have taken up the cause in favor of the FTT.

Huffington Post

"I think next year will be a decisive year".

The New York Times

It will also be a decisive year for national security.

The Guardian

From there begins a decisive year for the party, with regional, municipal and general elections taking place across the country.

The Guardian

But for Podemos on Sunday, there was little question that Syriza's strong win is a welcome start to a decisive year.

The Guardian

Chairman Michael Biggs said: We see 2010 as a decisive year for many financial services groups as they redefine their business models in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and in the face of increasing regulatory burdens.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

During his 2006 State of the Union Address, President Bush said, "In this decisive year, we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil".

Huffington Post

The discussion will be a stepping stone into 2015, the most decisive year for water.

The Guardian

This was the furthest a senior British minister has gone in revealing government thinking in what is widely seen as the decisive year in determining whether Tony Blair will risk a referendum.

The Guardian

THE NEWS What seemed to be the voice of Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, a former Iraqi vice president under Saddam Hussein, was heard in a new audiotape telling President Bush that 2008 would be the "decisive year" in Iraq and vowing that the Baathist insurgents he leads would go on attacking Americans.

The New York Times

The decisive year in the Archidamian War was, on Thucydides' perhaps over-schematic account, 425.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive year" when you want to emphasize that the events of that year had a clear and significant impact on future developments.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive year" as a generic statement without explaining why the year was decisive. Always provide specific examples or reasons to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

"A decisive year" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It modifies a noun (often "year") to highlight its significance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive year" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the significance and impact of a particular year. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, provide clear context to explain why the year is considered decisive. Alternatives such as "a pivotal year" or "a critical year" can also be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function and providing adequate context, you can effectively use "a decisive year" to highlight important periods in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pivotal year

Emphasizes the turning point nature of the year, suggesting it significantly alters future events.

a critical year

Highlights the importance of the year for determining future outcomes, often implying a sense of urgency.

a turning point year

Directly states that the year marks a significant change in direction or course.

a landmark year

Suggests the year is notable and memorable, setting a precedent for future events.

a game-changing year

Implies the year introduces significant changes that alter the established order or dynamics.

a make-or-break year

Emphasizes the high stakes involved, where the year's events will determine success or failure.

an influential year

Focuses on the year's impact and power to shape subsequent events or decisions.

a transformative year

Highlights the year's ability to cause significant and lasting change.

a consequential year

Emphasizes the significant and lasting consequences resulting from the year's events.

a defining year

Suggests the year establishes the character or direction of something going forward.

FAQs

What does "a decisive year" mean?

The phrase "a decisive year" refers to a year in which significant events occur that have a major impact on future outcomes or developments. It implies that the decisions and actions taken during that year are crucial and will shape subsequent events.

How can I use "a decisive year" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive year" to describe a period of significant change or turning points. For example, "2020 was a decisive year for the global economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive year"?

Some alternatives to "a decisive year" include "a pivotal year", "a critical year", or "a turning point year". These phrases similarly emphasize the importance and impact of the year in question.

Is it better to say "decisive year" or "defining year"?

While both phrases indicate significance, "decisive year" emphasizes the impact of the events of that year, whereas "defining year" suggests the year shaped the character or direction of something. Use the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.