defining juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a critical point or moment in a process or situation that determines the outcome or direction. Example: "The negotiations reached a defining juncture, where both parties had to decide whether to compromise or walk away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gp41-directed 2F5 and 4E10 antibodies target the gp41 membrane external proximal region (MPER), and are accessible at some not yet well defined juncture during viral entry, permitting MPER-directed neutralization [31], [32].

Plosone

For San Francisco, the Mavericks concept is more than a clever marketing concept; it seems to define the juncture at which Mr. Thomas connects with the community and perhaps the community's sense of itself.

The New York Times - Arts

This chapter focuses at two classes of tests that define key junctures in the development cycle for voice interfaces usability tests and Wizard-of-Oz tests—as well as surveying several related inspection methods.

Voice Interaction Design Crafting the New Conversational Speech Systems

"He asks basic and important questions, often asks for military planning for operations that alarm the professionals, but so far hasn't chosen to enact them," Schake said, adding, "He doesn't appear to want to spend his presidency on the wars". Trump stands at a key juncture in defining his national security policy.

Los Angeles Times

It is worth noting at this juncture to define what conventional machines are.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

That we can't answer these questions with any convincing moral authority defines today's epochal juncture.

HuffPost

Through this diverse cast, we are reminded that a legacy handed to us by a ruling class of Anglo Saxon men is one we all now share, in what Posner clearly defines as a perilous modern juncture for American democracy.

The Washington Post

The incident has to do with a failure of nerve at a crucial dramatic juncture, and it defines this film's way of breaking through conventional storytelling into terra incognita.

The New York Times

(A, 10) (The political juncture has been defined as a significant displacement of the power correlation).

Functional Linguistics

It is an in-depth approach to defining and assessing patients' perspectives at different junctures during an episode of care, including their decision whether and where to seek care, the barriers they encountered, and the treatments and services they received.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

It is an in-depth approach to defining and assessing patients' perspectives at different junctures in care, including their decisions about whether and where to seek care, the barriers encountered, and the treatments and services received.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defining juncture" to highlight a specific moment or phase that fundamentally shapes the course of events. Ensure the context clearly indicates the significance of this point in determining subsequent outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "defining juncture" for trivial or minor events. Reserve it for situations where the outcome truly hinges on the events occurring at that specific point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining juncture" functions as a noun phrase where "defining" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "juncture". It serves to characterize a particular moment or point in time as crucial and determinative. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its relatively lower frequency suggests careful consideration of context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defining juncture" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a critical turning point or moment that significantly impacts subsequent events. Although Ludwig AI confirms it as valid, its infrequency calls for thoughtful usage. Synonyms such as "pivotal moment" or "critical turning point" may serve as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. It is best suited for formal or neutral contexts, and should be reserved for situations where the outcome genuinely hinges on the events occurring at that specific time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical turning point

This alternative emphasizes the idea of change and redirection more strongly.

pivotal moment

This alternative highlights the importance of a specific instant in determining future outcomes.

decisive phase

This alternative suggests a more extended period of significance rather than a single point.

key moment

This alternative is a simpler and more general way to describe an important instant.

crucial stage

This alternative implies a process or development where the outcome is highly dependent on this particular stage.

significant crossroads

This alternative stresses the idea of making a choice between different paths.

watershed event

This alternative implies a major turning point after which things will never be the same.

formative period

This alternative implies a period that shapes the future development.

transformative episode

This alternative highlights the ability of the episode to cause a lasting change.

landmark occasion

This alternative emphasizes the historical importance or noteworthiness of the occasion.

FAQs

How can I use "defining juncture" in a sentence?

Use "defining juncture" to describe a critical point or moment in a process or situation that determines the outcome or direction. For example: "The negotiations reached a "defining juncture", where both parties had to decide whether to compromise or walk away."

What are some alternatives to "defining juncture"?

You can use alternatives like "critical turning point", "pivotal moment", or "decisive phase" depending on the context.

What makes a juncture "defining"?

A "defining" juncture is one where the events or decisions made at that specific point have a significant and lasting impact on the future course of events, essentially determining the outcome.

Is "defining juncture" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "defining juncture" is generally considered suitable for formal and neutral contexts, such as academic writing, news reports, or business communications. However, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation.