pivotal change

USAGE SUMMARY

'pivotal change' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a change or event that is of great importance or significance. For example, "The election of 2020 was a pivotal change in the landscape of American politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But there is no critical mass, and since the last commissioner signalled that pivotal change of course, there has seemed less chance of transformation on that scale being achieved.

The Guardian

In prose that wouldn't disgrace the King James Bible, Paul Kelly warns of "a calculated strike by parliaments and anti-discrimination boards using the cover of same-sex justice to achieve a quantum reduction in religious freedom and a pivotal change in the norms of our society".

The Guardian

Maybe this is just some freak anecdotal evidence.' " It was in fact a pivotal change: Manipulating the price of coal had always insured that Chinese utilities would produce ever more electricity, but the unhappy side effect was that utilities needed to build nothing more efficient than the cheapest, dirtiest plants.

The New Yorker

Browse a bookstore these days, and you will find a similar crop of titles, of course, but, as Kirby pointed out in a speech in Shanghai yesterday, the enduring sense that China is in the throes of pivotal change is less a cliché than it is a startlingly persistent fact.

The New Yorker

"When we raised our Series B in 2016, we intended to implement pivotal change: moving from a project-based business model to a company-wide digital transformation one.

TechCrunch

There was a pivotal change in the sharing and availability of such data, when for the first time, the European REACH legislation mandated that dossier summaries be published, making data readily available on a new scale.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

[B1.] PRIME-TIME REVOLUTIONNBC's plan to move Jay Leno to 10 p.m. may be among the most pivotal changes since the network evening newscasts grew to 30 minutes, from 15, in 1963.

The New York Times

Mr. Jiang warned his audience that Western powers were trying to use the Falun Gong conflict and the memory of Tiananmen to divide the party as it nears pivotal changes in leadership over the next two years, the officials said.

The New York Times

Operating under the DEF II umbrella, Behind the Beat was one of a fresh batch of programmes documenting the pivotal changes in youth culture at that point in time.

The Guardian - Music

Other pivotal changes included challenges to accepted values, such as those supported by religion; changes in social relations, especially toward versions of group and individual equality; and an explosion of knowledge affecting paradigms as well as particular information.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Times: Alexander Mosley, son of Formula One chief Max, is found dead Times: The day the world changed for the very private Mosley family MICHELLE OBAMA GETS THE CHOP The Daily Mail, as ever, is first off the mark with important news about pivotal changes in hairstyles: Michelle Obama has changed her hair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal change" to highlight changes that have a significant impact or act as a turning point in a situation. Be specific about what makes the change pivotal.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal change" for minor adjustments or insignificant modifications. Reserve it for situations where the change has a clear and substantial effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal change" functions as a noun phrase, where "pivotal" is an adjective modifying the noun "change". It serves to emphasize the importance and significance of the change being described. This is supported by the Ludwig examples, highlighting diverse scenarios where such changes occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pivotal change" is a valid and commonly used English phrase that describes a significant turning point or transformation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the provided examples showcase its applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, it should be reserved for changes that are genuinely impactful. Alternatives like "seminal change" or "decisive change" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to highlight key moments of transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seminal change

Emphasizes the originative and influential nature of the change.

decisive change

Highlights the conclusive and resolving aspect of the change.

vital change

Stresses the necessity and importance of the change for survival or success.

major change

Indicates a change of considerable size or impact.

important change

General term for a change holding significance.

essential change

A change that is absolutely necessary.

critical change

Highlights the crucial and potentially decisive nature of the change.

key change

Indicates a change that is fundamental to a process or situation.

fundamental shift

Emphasizes a deep, underlying alteration.

turning point

Focuses on the change as a moment that alters the future direction.

FAQs

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

Use "pivotal change" to describe a turning point or a moment of significant transformation. For example, "The new policy represented a "pivotal change" in the company's direction".

What are some alternatives to "pivotal change"?

Consider using alternatives like "seminal change", "decisive change", or "major change" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pivotal change" formal or informal?

"Pivotal change" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in professional, news and academic writing. It maintains a neutral tone.

What is the difference between "pivotal change" and "significant change"?

"Pivotal change" implies that the change acts as a turning point or a crucial factor in determining a future outcome. While "significant change" simply indicates that the change is important or noteworthy, without necessarily implying a turning point.