a pivotal step

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pivotal step" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is important for something else to happen. For example: "Completing the task was a pivotal step in order for the project to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Approval of the station by the Connecticut Department of Transportation was a pivotal step in getting the project moving.

The New York Times

I think going to Columbia was a pivotal step in my career.

The Guardian

The next day's newspapers had proclaimed the collection a pivotal step in the designer's career.

The New York Times

In America, Benjamin Franklin took a pivotal step in keeping the two professions separate when he appointed an apothecary to the Pennsylvania Hospital.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On a day when Collins became the first Giants quarterback since Phil Simms to throw for 3,000 yards in a season, the Giants had taken a pivotal step toward clinching a playoff berth.

The New York Times - Sports

"This forum marks a pivotal step towards the creation of a global innovation community comprised of leading technology campuses," said Marcel Morabito, an adviser at the French Atomic and Alternative Energy Commission and one of the event's organizers.

The New York Times

His emphasis on a democratic solution is seen as a pivotal step in a process that many officials from both sides believe is the single most important issue the country faces.

Independent

The Clean Sugar Campaign – which has been calling on the EU to investigate its trade ties with Cambodia's sugar industry since 2011 – called the development "a pivotal step towards justice for thousands of Cambodian people who have suffered enormously at the hands of the sugar industry".

The Guardian

In the hope of reconstructing a pivotal step in evolution — the colonization of land by fish that learned to walk and breathe air — researchers have decoded the genome of the coelacanth, a prehistoric-looking fish whose form closely resembles those seen in the fossils of 400 million years ago.

The New York Times - Science

Bid evaluation was a pivotal step in the process of bidding.

Systems Engineering Procedia

This methodology will offer a pivotal step forward in dynamic safety analysis.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pivotal step", ensure that the subsequent outcome or goal is clearly defined in the context. This helps emphasize the importance of the step being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a pivotal step" for minor or routine actions. Reserve it for actions that truly have a significant impact on the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pivotal step" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific action or event as being crucially important. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes an action essential for something else to happen. Examples show it preceding the explanation of why the step is so important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pivotal step" is a commonly used phrase that denotes a critically important action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in scientific, news, and business contexts, emphasizing its versatility across different registers. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the importance of the step. While suitable for formal writing, it should not be overused for minor or routine actions. Consider synonyms like "a crucial stage" or "a key milestone" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A crucial stage

Replaces 'step' with 'stage', focusing on a phase in a process rather than a specific action.

A key milestone

Substitutes 'step' with 'milestone', emphasizing a significant achievement in progress.

A turning point

Replaces the whole expression with "turning point" highlighting a moment of significant change or decision.

A critical juncture

Uses more formal vocabulary, changing 'pivotal step' to 'critical juncture' to emphasize the importance of a decision point.

An essential phase

Replaces 'pivotal' with 'essential' and 'step' with 'phase' emphasizing the necessity of a stage.

A significant move

Substitutes 'pivotal step' with 'significant move', indicating an important action or decision.

A fundamental action

Changes the expression to highlight the basic and necessary nature of the action.

A game changer

Replaces the expression with 'game changer' indicating something that dramatically alters the situation.

A breakthrough moment

Highlights a moment of significant progress or discovery.

A decisive action

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the step.

FAQs

How can I use "a pivotal step" in a sentence?

Use "a pivotal step" to describe an action or event that is crucial for a particular outcome. For example, "Securing funding was "a pivotal step" in launching the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "a pivotal step"?

You can use alternatives like "a crucial stage", "a key milestone", or "a turning point" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a pivotal step" in formal writing?

Yes, "a pivotal step" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in professional and academic contexts.

What makes "a pivotal step" different from "an important step"?

"A pivotal step" suggests that the action is absolutely essential and that success hinges on it, whereas "an important step" simply means that the action is significant but not necessarily critical. It's a matter of emphasis; pivotal suggests indispensable, while important suggests value.