a key juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an important point or stage in a process or situation where significant decisions or changes occur. Example: "The negotiations reached a key juncture when both parties agreed to meet face-to-face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

We're at a key juncture here.

The Guardian

And if either Mourning or Gary Payton blows a fuse at a key juncture, who knows?

The New York Times - Sports

But when Evans lost the ball out of bounds at a key juncture, the Clippers fans sarcastically serenaded him.

The New York Times - Sports

(He is also saved, at a key juncture, by Narcissa Malfoy's desire to protect her own son).

The New Yorker

At a key juncture, Tike rails against the sheep mentality of honest folks in Texas and Oklahoma who let the capitalist vultures steal from them.

The New York Times - Books

A push, a word, a bad choice at a key juncture: whoever that boy became, or never had a chance to become, Sandusky helped make him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

At a few key junctures he harnessed their support and got a real lift from it.

BBC

The nerves and fears and doubts that he talks about so openly in his press conferences surfaced at a few key junctures in the match.

The New York Times

While the bitcoin platform is theoretically sound the decentralized blockchain makes it nearly impossile to counterfeit vulnerabilities do exist at a few key junctures.

Vice

In particular, such comparative strategies will be useful to assess the rate of change of, for example, gene copy number at a key evolutionary juncture within the alveolates.

BMC Genomics

Nonetheless, the lesson offers students a vivid picture of what was at stake at this key juncture.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key juncture" to emphasize that a specific point in time is critical for decision-making or for understanding the unfolding of events. It's particularly effective when highlighting the potential for significant change or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "a key juncture" in overly simplistic or informal writing where more direct language would suffice. It can sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious if the situation isn't genuinely complex or significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key juncture" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a noun. It typically describes a specific point in time, event, or stage within a process that is of particular importance or significance. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key juncture" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies a critical point or stage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "a critical juncture" or "a pivotal moment" exist, "a key juncture" effectively emphasizes the importance of a specific time or event. When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations where its significance is genuinely noteworthy, avoiding overuse in simple or informal narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical juncture

Replaces "key" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and potential consequences of the moment.

a pivotal moment

Substitutes "juncture" with "moment", highlighting the turning-point nature of the situation.

a turning point

Offers a simpler, more direct way of expressing a moment of significant change.

a crucial stage

Replaces "juncture" with "stage", focusing on the phase of a process that is most important.

an important crossroads

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a moment of decision and diverging paths.

a decisive phase

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the period in determining the outcome.

a strategic inflection point

A more formal and business-oriented alternative, focusing on strategic shifts.

a climactic episode

Suggests a high point of intensity and importance, often used in narrative contexts.

a significant threshold

Highlights the crossing of a boundary or the reaching of a new level of importance.

a watershed event

Indicates an event marking a turning point or a significant change in direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a key juncture" to describe a critical point in time or a turning point in a process. For example, "The project reached "a key juncture" when funding was approved".

What's a simpler way to say "a key juncture"?

Alternatives to "a key juncture" include "a critical point", "a pivotal moment", or simply "a turning point", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

In what contexts is "a key juncture" most appropriate?

"A key juncture" is suitable in formal writing, professional communication, and academic discussions where precision and emphasis on the importance of a specific point in time are necessary. It's less common in casual conversation.

How does "a key juncture" differ from "a critical juncture"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "a critical juncture" often implies a higher degree of urgency or potential risk compared to "a key juncture", which simply highlights significance.