fundamental moment

USAGE SUMMARY

"fundamental moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that can be used to describe an occasion that marks a turning point or a significant new beginning. For example, "The Election Day is a fundamental moment for the future of our country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"That was the fundamental moment when Menendez-Kirk lost," the aide said.

The New Yorker

The first fundamental moment of transition seems to be a shift from the many particulars to some abstract general notion, an inchoate 'one-over-many'.

SEP

1968 meant for the whole of Europe – in contrast to the USA and also Asia or Latin America – a fundamental moment of cultural, political and social change in the long run (Széll 2009).

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

What should be a very private, fundamental moment, the closing of a lifespan, happens in semi-public, with other patients making noises and other footsteps walking by, with someone else's meal being wheeled down the hall.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They rang at fundamental moments of our history," Mr. Gilibert said.

The New York Times

But they have extremely fine-grained structures, which helps explain why they appear so smooth to us: "A blink of an eye has more fundamental moments than there are atoms in Mount Everest".

The New York Times - Books

Following fundamental moment-curvature relationships and aiming for a certain maximum strain in the extreme fibers of a cross section, the Basic Curving Criterion is developed.

Fourth International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 13–15 June 2005, Shanghai, China

A circumscriptive study of the most fundamental moments is proposed, without analysis of the evolutionary process per se.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It speaks to a set of anxieties that seem really fundamental at the moment".

The Guardian

Although I certainly understand the concerns driving these suggestions, it is essential that we resist the temptation to restrict our most fundamental freedoms in moment of panic.

Huffington Post

There are these fundamental physiological behavioral moments that are occurring continuously with other people that we're not aware of.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fundamental moment" when you want to emphasize that a particular time is crucial for understanding underlying principles or bringing about significant change.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental moment" to describe ordinary events. Reserve it for situations that genuinely represent a significant shift or revelation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental moment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies a specific time of foundational importance. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a turning point or significant new beginning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamental moment" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the importance and foundational nature of a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, describing it as a phrase denoting a turning point or new beginning. While grammatically sound, the phrase should be used judiciously in situations that genuinely warrant such emphasis. It is considered neutral to formal in register and finds use across various domains, with slight prevalence in news, scientific, and business contexts. Alternatives such as "crucial moment" or "pivotal moment" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial moment

Emphasizes the importance of a decision or action at a specific point in time.

pivotal moment

Highlights the turning point aspect, suggesting a change in direction or outcome.

critical juncture

More formal, indicating a point of decision with potentially significant consequences.

turning point

Focuses specifically on the shift or change that occurs.

watershed moment

Indicates a significant event that marks a clear division or change.

seminal moment

Stresses the lasting influence and importance of the event.

decisive moment

Highlights the aspect of making a choice or determination.

key event

A more general term, referring to a significant occurrence.

significant juncture

Emphasizes the importance of time where multiple things converge.

historic occasion

Indicates that the moment is of historical importance.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamental moment" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamental moment" to describe a point in time that is critical for change or understanding, as in "The discovery of penicillin was a "fundamental moment" in medical history".

What are some alternatives to "fundamental moment"?

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

Is "fundamental moment" formal or informal?

"Fundamental moment" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What makes a moment "fundamental"?

A moment is "fundamental" when it represents a core or essential aspect that shapes future developments or understanding, serving as a basis for further progress or comprehension.