pivotal changes

USAGE SUMMARY

"pivotal changes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to transformative or important changes that have far-reaching consequences. For example, "The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a pivotal change that forever altered the landscape of American politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

To meet the ever-changing needs of our employment partners, we continuously examine pivotal changes that we must make in our equipment, labs, curricula, training and faculty professional development opportunities.

HuffPost

From sound to steadicam, these innovations brought about pivotal changes in the history of moviemaking.

The New Yorker

The pivotal changes can arrive not with "Eureka!" moments but with adamant refusals.

The Washington Post

[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

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The fourth, and most pivotal, change is that they added a new vehicle scrappage model.

Yale University

"This is the real building where a historical event happened that defined this pivotal change in our ideas of citizenship," she said.

The Guardian

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

As a result, hydrogen atoms across the universe began to absorb background radiation — a pivotal change that the scientists were able to detect in the form of radio waves.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The approval of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has marked a pivotal change in the treatment landscape of chronic hepatitis C. As for DAAs targeting other viral diseases, there are concerns regarding the development of resistant viral variants.

Drug Discovery Today: Technologies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal changes" to highlight transformations that significantly alter the course or outcome of a situation, emphasizing their importance.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal changes" for minor adjustments or routine modifications. Reserve it for truly transformative shifts to maintain its impact and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal changes" functions as a noun phrase describing modifications or shifts that are of critical importance. The adjective "pivotal" emphasizes the significance of these changes, indicating they serve as turning points. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal changes" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for denoting significant, transformative shifts. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates the importance and impact of specific modifications. While not as frequently used as more general terms like "important changes", "pivotal changes" carries a stronger emphasis on the turning-point nature of the transformations. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academia, making it suitable for both neutral and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the changes genuinely represent a critical shift to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decisive changes

Emphasizes the conclusive and impactful nature of the changes.

Instrumental changes

Highlights the role of the changes as a means to achieve a specific outcome.

Seminal changes

Indicates that the changes are highly original and influential, setting a new direction.

Vital changes

Stresses that the changes are necessary and essential.

Crucial changes

Indicates that the changes are critical and highly important.

Major changes

Focuses on the large scale and significant extent of the changes.

Important changes

Highlights the significance and value of the changes.

Fundamental changes

Suggests that the changes affect the basic nature or underlying principles of something.

Essential changes

Emphasizes that the changes are absolutely necessary.

Critical changes

Suggests that the changes are crucial for success or survival.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal changes" to describe significant turning points or transformations, such as, "The invention of the printing press brought about "pivotal changes" in how information was disseminated".

What are some alternatives to "pivotal changes"?

Alternatives include "decisive changes", "instrumental changes", or "seminal changes", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "pivotal changes"?

"Pivotal changes" should be used when referring to transformations that are critical and have a significant impact on the direction or outcome of a situation. If the impact is limited, consider using a less emphatic term such as "minor adjustments".

What makes "pivotal changes" different from "important changes"?

"Pivotal changes" suggests a turning point or a fundamental shift that redirects a course of action, while "important changes" simply indicates significant modifications without necessarily implying a redirection. The former implies a more transformative effect.