pivotal concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an idea or principle that is crucial or central to a particular discussion or field of study. Example: "In the realm of psychology, the notion of cognitive dissonance is a pivotal concept that helps explain human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Armageddon remains the cult's pivotal concept.

The Guardian

A pivotal concept of these Musica Antiqua Nova concerts, however, is signaled in the last word of the title: new to modern audiences will be rediscovered works by Bach's little-known contemporaries, Joachim Belitze, Johann Theile and Theodor Schwartzkopff.

The New York Times

Dao (Tao) is a pivotal concept of ancient Chinese thought.

SEP

The pivotal concept around which 'top -pocket' relationships are centered is convenience; after all this type of relationship relies on a lack of commitment to thrive.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Existing approaches for optimal planning of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) deployment revolves around the deployment cost as the pivotal concept to optimize.

Computer Communications

Recent debates on knowledge management, competence strategy and the like have made knowledge a pivotal concept in studies of management of technology.

Technovation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Recent studies concerning Giles' natural philosophy focused mainly on his treatment of some pivotal concepts of Aristotle's Physics.

SEP

Theories of limited scope, built up from materials at hand, play an important conceptual and normative function in debates over abortion and euthanasia (Dworkin 1993) and over such pivotal concepts as "coercion," "commodification," "harm," and "exploitation" in the broad areas of research and reproductive ethics.

SEP

Impairment, functional limitation, disability, and handicap are pivotal concepts for the development of indicators for Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Much debate remains, however, over pivotal concepts regarding the pathophysiology of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) [ 7, 8], especially about the precise contribution, kinetics, and primary role of regional putative VILI mechanisms [ 1, 2, 9, 10].

Critical Care

With an intensive longitudinal design in the general context of higher education, we explore associations between changes in pivotal identity concepts: commitment and exploration and elaborate on how we conceptualize these concepts on a micro level.

Journal of Adolescence

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex topics, identify and clearly explain the "pivotal concept" to help your audience focus on the most important element.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal concept" when a simpler term like "key idea" or "important point" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal concept" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific idea or principle that is of utmost importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to highlight the significance of a particular concept within a given context. The examples show it applied across various fields, emphasizing its central role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal concept" is a valuable tool for highlighting essential ideas in writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this grammatically sound phrase functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the crucial role of a specific concept. While alternatives like "key concept" and "fundamental principle" exist, "pivotal concept" adds a layer of emphasis, suggesting that the concept is a turning point or foundation. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, its effective use calls for focusing on the most relevant points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key concept

Focuses on the importance of the concept, simplifying the wording.

critical idea

Emphasizes the importance of the idea for analysis or evaluation.

fundamental principle

Highlights the foundational nature of the principle.

essential notion

Stresses that the notion is indispensable.

core tenet

Implies that the tenet is central to a belief system or argument.

central theme

Shifts focus to a recurring or dominant idea.

cornerstone idea

Emphasizes that the idea is essential to the support of something.

basic element

Focuses on the role of the element as a building block.

primary component

Highlights the role of the component as one of the main parts.

foundational concept

Highlights that the concept lays a foundation for what follows.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal concept" to highlight an idea that is crucial for understanding a topic. For example, "The theory of relativity relies on the "pivotal concept" of spacetime."

What are some alternatives to "pivotal concept"?

You can use alternatives like "key concept", "central idea", or "fundamental principle" depending on the specific context. Each alternative shifts the emphasis slightly while maintaining a similar core meaning.

Is it redundant to say "very pivotal concept"?

Yes, it can be considered redundant. The word "pivotal" already implies great importance, so adding "very" doesn't significantly enhance the meaning and can make the phrase sound awkward. Stick to ""pivotal concept"".

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

"Pivotal concept" suggests that the concept is absolutely essential or crucial, whereas "important concept" simply means the concept is significant or noteworthy but not necessarily indispensable. Pivotal implies more of a turning point or foundation.