pivotal chapter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal chapter" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an important or crucial chapter in a story, book, or other written work. For example: - The pivotal chapter in the novel was when the main character finally confronted their inner demons and made a life-changing decision. - In the history textbook, the pivotal chapter covered the events leading up to the Civil War. - The scientist's groundbreaking research was published in a pivotal chapter of the academic journal, leading to further advancements in the field.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The diagnosis adds a new and perhaps pivotal chapter to football's still-unfolding narrative surrounding concussions.

The New York Times - Sports

Their case is now widely recognised as a pivotal chapter in British race relations.

The Guardian - Arts

"Masters of Death" illuminates this early and pivotal chapter of the Holocaust.

The New York Times - Books

A new documentary on PBS stations captures the political complexities and drama of this pivotal chapter in civil rights history.

The New York Times

In this pivotal chapter, Ivan introduces his brother Alyosha to the idea of a society in which a few knowledgeable but unhappy leaders dictate the course of existence for the blissfully ignorant masses.

The New York Times - Books

As the medical historian Judith Walzer Leavitt argued in a 1996 study, cited by Bourdain, Mallon's case was a pivotal chapter in the history of public health, one with unmistakable reverberations in the age of AIDS.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I believe there were two pivotal chapters in my life.

Los Angeles Times

GameTrailers similarly commented that it told one of the most pivotal chapters in the series' overall plot.

Wikipedia

Examining a pivotal early chapter in the Holocaust, Rhodes, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988, tells of the mobile killing squads whose experiences shooting to death more than a million Jews in the Soviet Union led to the industrialized methods of mass murder used at Auschwitz and other gassing centers.

The New York Times - Books

The pivotal third chapter, entitled "A School for Statesmen," lays out the rich evidence for Princeton as the dogmatic, philosophical, and personal driver of the American Revolution in the last half of the 18th century, and spends 37 pages in rich detail supporting that thesis.

Princeton University

The pivotal 2nd chapter draws relativist and skeptical conclusions from its normative naturalism.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal chapter" to emphasize a turning point or moment of significant change within a larger narrative or process. Ensure that the content of the chapter genuinely warrants this label by clearly demonstrating its impact on subsequent events or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal chapter" to describe a section that is merely interesting or informative, but lacks substantial impact on the overall narrative or argument. Reserve this term for moments that truly alter the course of events or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal chapter" functions as a noun phrase, where "pivotal" modifies "chapter", indicating the chapter's importance as a turning point or critical juncture. The phrase is used to highlight the significance of a specific section within a larger work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal chapter" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the importance of a specific section within a larger context, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase, highlighting a turning point or critical juncture. Commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, the phrase suggests a moment of significant change or influence. Alternatives like "critical chapter" or "decisive chapter" offer subtle variations in meaning, while the key is to avoid overstating the actual importance of the described section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical chapter

Replaces "pivotal" with "critical", suggesting a moment of great importance and potential crisis.

decisive chapter

Substitutes "pivotal" with "decisive", emphasizing the chapter's role in determining the outcome.

seminal chapter

Indicates a chapter that is highly influential and sets a precedent for what follows.

important chapter

A more general term, simply highlighting the chapter's significance without specifying its turning-point nature.

key chapter

A straightforward substitute, indicating the chapter is crucial for understanding.

essential chapter

Highlights that the chapter is absolutely necessary for understanding the whole narrative.

central chapter

Focuses on the chapter's role as a core element around which other parts revolve.

major chapter

Simply indicates a chapter of great importance or size.

fundamental chapter

Highlights the chapter as a groundwork for everything that follows.

basic chapter

Emphasizes that the chapter presents the foundation of the topic being discussed.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal chapter" to describe a significant point in a story or historical event. For example, "The election of 1960 was a "pivotal chapter" in American history".

What can I say instead of "pivotal chapter"?

You can use alternatives like "critical chapter", "decisive chapter", or "seminal chapter" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "pivotal chapter"?

It's appropriate when referring to a specific section or period that marks a significant shift, turning point, or critical development within a larger context.

What makes a chapter "pivotal"?

A "pivotal chapter" is one that contains events, decisions, or insights that significantly influence the direction, outcome, or understanding of the overall narrative or subject matter.