decisive turning point

USAGE SUMMARY

"decisive turning point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a moment or event that completely changes a situation or thing. For example, "The signing of the peace treaty was a decisive turning point in the war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But a decisive turning point came with a 1945 Supreme Court decision that forced the AP to become a truly open-membership cooperative, owned and governed by the competing news agencies that use it, which run the ideological gamut from Fox News to the New York Times.

Vice

The decisive turning point in military disengagement came with Abacha's sudden death in June 1998.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The time spent in Leipzig marked a decisive turning point in the thought of Schelling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The year 1848 was a decisive turning point in Swiss history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century has often been called a decisive turning point in human history.

Cornell University

He is the author of "The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning Point in American Politics".

The New York Times

Dallek's book, "The Right Moment," is subtitled "Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning Point in American Politics".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

These were years of breakdown and brutal violence on all sides, punctuated by the decisive turning points of February and October.

Yale University

Composed in 1970, Mantra, for two pianos and ring modulation, was one of the decisive turning points in Karlheinz Stockhausen's career.

The Guardian - Music

It's fitting that this center of Twain scholarship is across the Bay from San Francisco, for San Francisco was the setting for one of the decisive turning points in Twain's life.

The New York Times

The framing of the story in this book around generations defined by decisive turning points helps lend it drama and urgency, without offering the false consolation of a happy ending.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decisive turning point" to emphasize a clear and significant shift in direction or outcome. It adds weight to your analysis or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "decisive turning point" for minor or insignificant events. Reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely transformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decisive turning point" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific moment or event that causes a significant change in a situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decisive turning point" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant moment of change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "pivotal moment" or "critical juncture" exist, "decisive turning point" emphasizes a definitive shift. When employing this phrase, reserve it for truly transformative events to maintain its impact. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "decisive turning point" remains a valuable asset in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal moment

Highlights the central importance of the moment as a point around which things change.

watershed moment

Implies a clear division between what came before and what comes after.

defining moment

Highlights the importance of a moment in shaping identity or legacy.

critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance of the moment for making a decision.

inflection point

Indicates a change in the curve or direction of something.

turning of the tide

Suggests a reversal of fortune or momentum.

game changer

Focuses on the impact of something that fundamentally alters the situation.

tipping point

Suggests a gradual build-up leading to a sudden change.

landmark event

Highlights the historical significance of the event.

key milestone

Emphasizes progress and achievement in a process.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "decisive turning point" in a sentence?

Incorporate "decisive turning point" when illustrating an event or moment that fundamentally altered the course of events. For example, "The invention of the printing press was a "decisive turning point" in the spread of knowledge".

What are some alternatives to "decisive turning point"?

Consider alternatives such as "pivotal moment", "critical juncture", or "watershed moment" to add nuance or variety to your writing.

Is there a difference between "decisive turning point" and "major turning point"?

"Decisive turning point" suggests a more definitive and impactful change than "major turning point". While both indicate significance, "decisive" implies a clearer outcome or resolution.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "decisive turning point"?

Avoid using "decisive turning point" for trivial or inconsequential events. It's best reserved for situations where the shift is truly transformative and widely recognized.