at the critical juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the critical juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to a point in time when a decision must be made or when a situation is at a crucial or turning point. For example, "At the critical juncture, they had to decide between staying put or risking it all and making a move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The operation, the secret history says, "still might have succeeded in spite of this advance warning had not most of the participants proved to be inept or lacking in decision at the critical juncture".

The New York Times

However, at the critical juncture when the governor of Arkansas tried to block the integration of the Little Rock schools, Ike sent in the 101st Airborne Division, a momentous decision.

The New York Times

The summer surgery program (SSP) was founded in 2012 as an educational program for students at the critical juncture between high school and college to engender interest in medicine, science, and innovation.

Journal of Surgical Education

The FORWARD to Professorship workshop was designed in 2001 to address the leaky pipeline of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academia: it took aim at the critical juncture of doctoral and postdoctoral positions to professorship.

Forward to Professorship in STEM Inclusive Faculty Development Strategies That Work

Investing in R&D for a product employing new technologies is a challenging issue for companies and governments alike, especially at the critical juncture of deciding the degree of resource allocation, if any.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

The command Obama's team has over the media trumps the Bush administration's control, which is no small accomplishment, given that the "embed" strategy for reporters kept them "in bed" with the White House at the critical juncture of invading Iraq.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, instead of focusing on restoring the native lake trout, at this critical juncture the decision was made to introduce salmon another foreign species to the lake.

Environmental Health Perspectives

They are far short of the needed resources to feed the hungry at this critical juncture.

Huffington Post

Where are the leaders who must rise to answer the call at this critical juncture?

Huffington Post

"The solution to fighting extremism in Syria is to strengthen the Free Syrian Army at this critical juncture".

The Guardian

At this critical juncture, the world needs more trade, not less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the critical juncture" when you want to emphasize the importance of a specific point in time where decisions or actions have significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "at the critical juncture" in everyday contexts where simpler phrases would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations of genuine importance and consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the critical juncture" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the specific time or point when something occurs. It highlights the importance of the moment. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the critical juncture" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific moment in time, especially when significant decisions or actions are required. Ludwig's analysis, together with the examples provided, confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, including news, science, and business communications. The frequency is uncommon, so it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English and is best reserved for situations of genuine importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the crucial moment

Focuses on the timing, emphasizing the importance of a specific instant.

at the turning point

Highlights the idea of a shift or change in direction.

at this pivotal time

Emphasizes the significance and potential impact of the present moment.

when it mattered most

Highlights the importance of a particular moment or action.

in the nick of time

Emphasizes that something happened just before it was too late.

at the eleventh hour

Similar to "in the nick of time", denoting something happening very late.

at the crossroads

Emphasizes a moment of decision with significant consequences.

at a decisive stage

Highlights the point where a firm decision is necessary.

at the apex

Signifies the highest point, often implying a turning point.

when push came to shove

Refers to a moment when decisive action was required.

FAQs

How can I use "at the critical juncture" in a sentence?

You can use "at the critical juncture" to describe a crucial point in time when a decision must be made, such as, "At the critical juncture, they had to decide whether to invest more resources or abandon the project."

What phrases are similar to "at the critical juncture"?

Similar phrases include "at the crucial moment", "at the turning point", or "at this pivotal time", each emphasizing the importance of a specific point in time.

Is it better to use "at the critical juncture" or "at the critical point"?

While both phrases are similar, "at the critical juncture" often implies a convergence of factors or a more complex situation than "at the critical point", which can refer to a singular, decisive element.

What is the register of "at the critical juncture"?

"At the critical juncture" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts.