key situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key situations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to important or critical circumstances that require attention or action. Example: "In key situations, effective communication can make a significant difference in the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Our pitchers had to get those guys out in key situations," McKeon said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's past my comprehension why athletes today cannot sacrifice giving everything in key situations," Robinson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Does Washington stick with the running game long enough in key situations?

The New York Times - Sports

"Marty, in those key situations, you know he'll be really good," Kovalchuk said.

The New York Times - Sports

There was no eye-popping defensive wizardry, just crisp plays executed in key situations.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first half, he turned the ball over too many times in key situations.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"A key situation," Coughlin said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's who steps up to seize a key situation.

The New York Times

"Actually just turning it up a bit and getting the key outs in the key situation.

The New York Times

"It was an awesome home run in a key situation," Sanders said of the Bonds blow.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's what makes him special: In the key situation to come up big," Jagr said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key situations", consider the specific context and choose verbs and adverbs that clearly communicate the importance of these situations. For example, "address key situations proactively" or "navigate key situations effectively".

Common error

Avoid using "key situations" as a generic placeholder. Always provide enough context to make it clear why these situations are key and what impact they have. Instead of saying 'We need to improve our performance in key situations', specify 'We need to improve our free throw percentage in key situations during the fourth quarter'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key situations" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective ("key"). As evidenced by Ludwig, it typically acts as a subject or object, specifying contexts of critical importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "key situations" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for denoting important or critical circumstances. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and general contexts underscores its broad applicability. When using "key situations", ensure that the context makes it clear why these situations are key and consider more specific alternatives like "critical junctures" or "pivotal moments" to add nuance. Remember, while "key situations" is frequently used, avoiding overuse and maintaining specificity will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical junctures

Replaces "situations" with a more formal and emphatic term, highlighting the decisiveness of the moment.

pivotal moments

Emphasizes the turning point aspect of the situations.

crucial instances

Focuses on the importance and decisiveness of the situation at hand.

important circumstances

Uses more generic terms to convey the significance, suitable for broader contexts.

significant events

Shifts the focus to the events themselves being important, rather than the situation.

strategic opportunities

Highlights the potential for advantageous action within the situations.

decisive periods

Emphasizes a span of time where key decisions or events occur.

vital episodes

Highlights the essential nature of specific occurrences.

essential times

Focuses on the timing and the necessity of certain actions or outcomes.

prime opportunities

Stresses the favorable aspect for achieving desired outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "key situations" in a sentence?

You can use "key situations" to describe important moments where specific actions or decisions have a significant impact. For example, "Effective communication is crucial in "key situations"".

What are some synonyms for "key situations"?

Alternatives include "critical junctures", "pivotal moments", or "crucial instances", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider "critical junctures" for emphasis, or "pivotal moments" for turning points.

Is it better to say "key situations" or "important situations"?

"Key situations" implies a slightly higher level of importance or criticality compared to "important situations". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of significance you wish to convey. In high-stakes scenarios, ""key situations"" is often more appropriate.

How does the meaning of "key situations" differ from "challenging situations"?

"Key situations" highlights importance, while "challenging situations" focuses on difficulty. While a key situation might also be challenging, the primary emphasis is on its significance. For example: 'The team performed well in "challenging situations"' means the team overcame obstacles, whereas 'The team excelled in "key situations"' means they capitalized on important opportunities.