a difficult juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or critical point in a situation or process. Example: "The company faced a difficult juncture when deciding whether to expand its operations or cut costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The housing market is at a difficult juncture.

The New York Times

There is also the fact that prevention efforts in Tamil Nadu are at a difficult juncture.

The New York Times

It's at a difficult juncture right now, that's true, and we have serious concerns about the political environment".

The Guardian

The news from JPMorgan comes at a difficult juncture for the stock market as investors wrestle with heightened concerns about Europe's debt crisis and signs are emerging that the economic recovery in the United States may be starting to slow.

The New York Times

Three moments were decisive in this long debate, and each of them hinged on a different juror, each of whom spoke clearly at a difficult juncture and shifted the course of our deliberations.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, we are at a difficult juncture.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"The world is at a very difficult juncture," said Andrew Burns, a lead author of the report, in an interview, citing fears about the stability of the euro zone, slower growth in emerging economies and pervasive market uncertainty as major factors.

The New York Times

With the potential conflicts that exist, Mr. Janeway said clean-river advocates were at a more difficult juncture today than they were 40 years ago, when officials were faced with turning around a river that had long been treated as a dump for industrial waste and sewage.

The New York Times

That was a very difficult juncture.

Huffington Post

Collectively, their work crystallizes, more eloquently than any other documents ever could, how for a decade or more Louis bore on his shoulders the hopes of a people more solely and squarely than perhaps anyone else ever did. Louis fought his first professional fight in 1934, a crucial and difficult juncture for black America.

The New York Times - Arts

Smart fiscal policy is imperative for countries facing the difficult juncture of an anemic recovery, weak potential growth, and very low inflation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the overall tone of your writing. While "a difficult juncture" is generally suitable for formal contexts, it may sound out of place in casual conversation. Choose alternative phrases such as "tough spot" or "challenging time" for informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult juncture" in casual or informal settings. It can sound overly formal and pretentious. Opt for simpler, more direct language like "a tough spot" or "a challenging time" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult juncture" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes a challenging or critical point in a process or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult juncture" is a phrase used to describe a challenging or critical point in time or a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, particularly in formal contexts like news reports, business communications, and academic papers. While semantically valid, it may sound odd in informal conversation where more simple alternatives are expected, such as "a challenging moment" or "a tough crossroads". It's important to be aware of the audience and context when using this phrase to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style. While it is not a very common phrase overall, it is found most frequently in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging moment

Replaces "juncture" with a simpler, more common word for a point in time.

a critical turning point

Emphasizes the importance of the moment and its potential to change the course of events.

a tough crossroads

Uses a metaphorical image to convey the difficulty of making a decision.

a pivotal time

Emphasizes the importance and potential impact of the moment.

a problematic stage

Focuses on the troubles and issues present at this point.

a delicate phase

Highlights the need for careful handling and sensitivity.

a testing phase

Highlights the challenges and trials involved.

a precarious situation

Emphasizes the instability and potential danger of the current circumstances.

a sensitive period

Focuses on the heightened emotional or political significance of the time.

a troublesome spot

Uses more informal language to describe a challenging situation.

FAQs

What does "a difficult juncture" mean?

The phrase "a difficult juncture" refers to a challenging or critical point in time or a situation, often involving a decision or turning point. It suggests a moment where things are uncertain or problematic.

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

You can use "a difficult juncture" to describe challenging times. For example: "The company faced "a difficult juncture" when deciding whether to expand its operations or cut costs."

What can I say instead of "a difficult juncture"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging moment", "a critical turning point", or "a tough crossroads" depending on the context.

Is "a difficult juncture" formal or informal?

The phrase "a difficult juncture" is generally considered formal and is best suited for business, academic, or news-related writing. Using simpler alternatives like "tough time" might be more appropriate for informal conversations.