is pivotal

USAGE SUMMARY

"is pivotal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of something. For example: "The role of the teacher in providing a safe learning environment is pivotal to the success of the student."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bayern is pivotal in this dichotomy.

The New York Times - Sports

The debate over currency valuation is pivotal.

The New York Times

"It is pivotal," Harington agrees.

The Guardian - Film

The I.R.A.'s role is pivotal.

The New York Times

This week is pivotal for BHS.

The Guardian - Business

The position of Labour is pivotal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Agriculture, in particular, is pivotal to the resource security agenda.

The Guardian

And the Yankees' playoff success is pivotal to Rodriguez's legacy.

The New York Times - Sports

For all of us, the Reeves Hill case is pivotal.

The Guardian - Opinion

This autumn's public inquiry, said Kurth, is "pivotal.

The Guardian

For many acts, this is pivotal to what they do.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pivotal" to highlight elements that are absolutely necessary for the success or functioning of a process, project, or system. It adds emphasis to their importance.

Common error

Avoid using "is pivotal" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a level of formality that may seem out of place in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pivotal" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a predicate adjective that describes the subject's crucial importance. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is pivotal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, to highlight the crucial importance of something. Predominantly found in science and news media, it conveys a sense of necessity that elevates the subject above simple importance. While it's a strong and effective phrase, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives such as ""is essential"" or ""is crucial"" offer similar emphasis with subtle tonal differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is essential

Directly emphasizes necessity, similar to 'pivotal' but with a slightly stronger sense of indispensability.

is crucial

Highlights the critical importance of something, often in the context of avoiding negative outcomes if it's lacking.

is vital

Emphasizes the life-sustaining or fundamentally important nature of something.

is critical

Similar to 'crucial', but can also imply a more immediate or urgent need.

is paramount

Suggests the highest level of importance, surpassing other considerations.

is fundamental

Indicates something forms a necessary base or foundation.

is key

Highlights something as being the main factor in achieving a desired outcome.

is central

Indicates something is at the core or heart of a matter.

is indispensable

Highlights the necessity of something that cannot be dismissed or avoided.

is significant

Emphasizes the noticeable or important effect of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is pivotal" in a sentence?

Use "is pivotal" to emphasize the crucial importance of something. For example, "Effective communication "is pivotal" for building strong relationships".

What are some alternatives to "is pivotal"?

You can use alternatives like "is essential", "is crucial", or "is vital" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "is pivotal" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, "is pivotal" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual contexts, consider using alternatives like "is key" or "is important".

What's the difference between "is pivotal" and "is important"?

"Is pivotal" suggests something is absolutely necessary or central, while "is important" simply indicates something has significance. "Is pivotal" is a stronger statement.