a propitious time for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a propitious time for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of time that is likely to bring success or favor to a particular endeavor or activity. For example, "The new year is a propitious time for setting new goals and starting fresh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's a propitious time for reform.

The New Yorker

The dispute comes at a propitious time for Fox.

The New York Times - Sports

Haxlr8r's launch comes at a propitious time for hardware entrepreneurs.

MIT Technology Review

This would hardly seem a propitious time for rate increases.

The New York Times - Travel

It may be a propitious time for Ford to introduce this bright yellow box.

The New York Times

Relations with Britain were on an upturn, so it was a propitious time for creative diplomacy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

(That also was recognized by the State Council on the Arts, which granted him a craft fellowship this year). Yet one can ask whether this was a most propitious time for an exhibition in what will soon be the only major museum in the state that offers solo shows to craft artists.

The New York Times

It is also a particularly propitious time for unified Arab action because there is a widespread realization among the Arab states that their lethargy when it comes to Syria is simply unsustainable.

The New York Times

Born on March 14 , 1909 in Philadelphia, Robert Serber earned a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., in 1930, and his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Wisconsin in 1934 during the Depression -- not a propitious time to start looking for a permanent university job.

The New York Times

On the prospects of future funding, Langlands warned: "I have been involved in government spending negotiations for 15 years and I have known a less propitious time for arguing for public investment".

The Guardian

Now is a relatively propitious time for these ploys.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a propitious time for" when you want to emphasize that circumstances are particularly favorable for a specific action or event. For example, "With the economy improving, this is "a propitious time for" new investments."

Common error

Avoid using "a propitious time for" when simply referring to a convenient time. "Propitious" implies a stronger sense of potential success or advantage, not just ease or convenience. Ensure that the context genuinely suggests favorable conditions, otherwise consider using "a good time for" or "a suitable time for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a propitious time for" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or an adverbial modifier. It identifies a specific period characterized by favorable conditions, as shown in Ludwig's examples, where various situations are described as benefiting from this favorable timing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a propitious time for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that current conditions offer advantages for success. Analysis of the search results reveals its prevalence in news, science, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and its function to highlight favorable circumstances. While adaptable, be mindful of its formal tone and ensure it aligns with the overall context, considering alternatives like "an opportune moment for" for nuanced expressions. Leveraging "a propitious time for" can effectively underscore opportunities, provided its implications of advantage are accurately reflected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an opportune moment for

Replaces "time" with "moment", emphasizing a specific point in time.

a favorable period for

Substitutes "propitious" with "favorable" and "time" with "period", indicating a span of time.

an auspicious occasion for

Replaces "propitious" with "auspicious" and "time" with "occasion", highlighting a significant event.

a golden opportunity for

Uses the idiom "golden opportunity" to convey a very positive and advantageous time.

a strategic moment for

Emphasizes the calculated advantage of the timing.

the right moment for

Highlights the correctness of the timing.

an ideal situation for

Shifts the focus to the overall circumstances being beneficial.

a prime opportunity for

Uses "prime" to indicate the best possible chance.

a beneficial juncture for

Employs more formal vocabulary to denote a critical point in time.

the perfect timing for

Focuses on the flawless alignment of events.

FAQs

How can I use "a propitious time for" in a sentence?

Use "a propitious time for" to indicate that circumstances are particularly favorable for something. For example, "The end of the year is "a propitious time for" reviewing your finances."

What's the difference between "a propitious time for" and "a good time for"?

"A propitious time for" implies that conditions are especially advantageous and likely to lead to success, while "a good time for" simply suggests that the timing is convenient or suitable. The former carries a stronger connotation of opportunity and potential benefit.

What can I say instead of "a propitious time for"?

You can use alternatives such as "an opportune moment for", "a favorable period for", or "an auspicious occasion for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a propitious time for" formal or informal?

The phrase "a propitious time for" leans towards the formal side due to the word "propitious". While not overly stilted, it is more common in professional, academic, or news contexts than in casual conversation. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use it.