at a certain juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a certain juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific point in time or a particular moment in a process or situation. Example: "At a certain juncture, we realized that our initial plan was not feasible and needed to be revised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By constructing his books so that they start off achingly funny then at a certain juncture become naggingly painful, he does indeed force us to think more deeply about the subject at hand.

The Guardian - Books

Of course because of the high population growth in Iran, at a certain juncture of time employment generation became a challenge.

The New York Times

"Of course, because of the high population growth in Iran, at a certain juncture of time, employment generation became a challenge," Mr. Ahmadinejad said.

The New York Times

Once, he said, the two of them were listening to the score, and at a certain juncture Martins suggested that this was where there should be an erotic pas de deux.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As the Roman poet Juvenal opined at a certain farcical juncture in the affairs of his city state: Difficile est non saturam scribere (It is difficult not to write satire).

The Guardian - Business

It established a set of Abrams-esque themes: arcing mythologies (in this case, the prophecies and technologies of Milo Rambaldi), a willingness to reboot the series radically at certain junctures, and a canny eye on audience expectations.

The Guardian - Books

At certain junctures in the creative process such as when a new idea is taking form or after a sustained period of inspired output we are served by rest.

Forbes

One of the puzzles of mass extinction is why, at certain junctures, the resourcefulness of life seems to falter.

The New Yorker

At certain junctures of the season, the Mets seemed uncertain where they fit; indeed, whether they belonged at all with playoff-caliber teams or were still in that infernal period of growth.

The New York Times - Sports

Hatoful Boyfriend, in true dating-sim tradition, is primarily text-based with still images of characters and backdrops flashing up behind; you click through paragraphs, make choices at certain junctures, and see how those play out.

The Guardian - Tech

The new labor historians, favoring a history-from-the-bottom-up approach to their subject, have been drawn to eras of intense conflict between workers and employers like the the 1930's, and have emphasized working class "agency" -- that is, the ability of ordinary workers at certain junctures in American history to change society through their own actions.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a certain juncture" when you want to indicate a specific point in time or stage in a process, particularly when that point is significant or decisive. It adds a layer of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at a certain juncture" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "at some point" or "at that time" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a certain juncture" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify the timing or stage of an action or event. Ludwig confirms its usability, fitting into sentences to denote a particular point in time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a certain juncture" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a specific point in time or stage in a process. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it's best suited for analytical or descriptive writing where precision is valued. Related phrases like "at a specific moment" or "at a particular point" can serve as alternatives, depending on the desired level of formality. Overusing this phrase in casual contexts should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a specific moment

Replaces 'certain' with 'specific' and 'juncture' with 'moment', emphasizing a particular point in time.

at a particular point

Substitutes 'certain juncture' with 'particular point', providing a more general and less formal alternative.

at some stage

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler expression indicating a point during a process or development.

at a given time

Changes the phrase to emphasize a specific instance when something occurs.

at a critical moment

Adds emphasis to the importance of the time, implying it is a turning point.

at an opportune time

Highlights the favorable nature of the time or situation.

at a strategic point

Focuses on the calculated or planned nature of the timing.

when the time is right

Uses a more idiomatic expression indicating the suitability of the moment.

in due course

Implies that something will happen at the appropriate time, without specifying it.

down the line

Uses a more casual expression for a point in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "at a certain juncture" in a sentence?

You can use "at a certain juncture" to indicate a specific point in time or stage in a process. For example, "At a certain juncture, the company decided to change its marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "at a certain juncture"?

Some alternatives include "at a specific moment", "at a particular point", or "at some stage". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "at a certain juncture" formal or informal?

"At a certain juncture" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "at some point" or "at that time" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "at a certain juncture" and "at a certain time"?

"At a certain juncture" implies a specific and often significant point within a process or event, whereas "at a certain time" simply refers to a particular moment on the clock or in a sequence.