critical point

USAGE SUMMARY

"critical point" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to an especially important moment or decision in a process or narrative. For example: "The meeting last week was a critical point in our company's development, as we discussed strategic plans for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Critics like Eisinger are missing a critical point.

Huffington Post

It's a critical point.

The Guardian - Business

The critical point.

The Guardian - Sport

This, he says, is the critical point.

Independent

The critical point had been reached.

The New York Times

Still, the petitioners raise a critical point.

The New Yorker

"We are reaching a critical point".

The New York Times

You cited a critical point.

The New York Times

Which raises a critical point.

The New York Times - Health

This is the critical point".

The Guardian

This is a critical point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "critical point" when you want to emphasize a moment of significant decision or potential change. Ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the point critical.

Common error

Avoid using "critical point" for every important moment. Reserve it for instances where the outcome significantly hinges on what happens next. Otherwise, use alternatives like "important aspect" or "key factor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical point" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific stage or moment that is of utmost importance. Ludwig provides numerous examples across different domains demonstrating its use to highlight significant junctures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "critical point" is a widely used noun phrase indicating a crucial moment, stage, or decision in a process or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral to professional register. When writing, it’s best to reserve this phrase for situations of genuine importance and potential impact and avoid overuse. Alternative phrases such as "pivotal moment" or "turning point" can add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal moment

Emphasizes the turning point aspect more strongly.

turning point

Highlights the change or shift that occurs.

decisive juncture

More formal and emphasizes the decision-making aspect.

crucial juncture

Similar to 'decisive juncture' but slightly less formal.

important milestone

Focuses on progress and achievement.

key decision

Highlights the element of choice and consequence.

significant stage

Emphasizes a phase or period of importance.

vital stage

Stresses the necessity of the stage.

essential phase

Highlights the fundamental nature of the phase.

inflection point

Focuses on a change of direction or trend.

FAQs

How can I use "critical point" in a sentence?

You can use "critical point" to describe a moment of significant decision or potential change, such as, "The negotiation reached a "critical point" when both parties refused to compromise."

What is an alternative to "critical point"?

Alternatives to "critical point" include "pivotal moment", "turning point", or "decisive juncture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "critical point" in writing?

Use "critical point" when the outcome of a situation depends heavily on the events or decisions made at that specific time. It implies that the situation is at a crucial stage.

Is "critical point" interchangeable with "important aspect"?

While both phrases denote significance, "critical point" suggests a higher level of importance and a sense of urgency or consequence. "Important aspect" is more general and does not necessarily imply a decisive moment.