pivotal experiences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal experiences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant moments or events that have a major impact on a person's life or development. Example: "Traveling abroad for the first time were pivotal experiences that shaped her worldview and career choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The mystery is why so few songs - reedily sung and strummed - touch on what he says were pivotal experiences in Kosovo.

The Guardian - Music

We identified four factors that lead to pivotal experiences: (1) prolonged discontent and desire to change, (2) significant changes that increase fear or hope of future, (3) increased understanding of one's behavior and personal data, and (4) social accountability.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

I was anything but impressed, but it became one of the most pivotal experiences of my life.

Huffington Post

Let me ask you, have you ever considered how your life would be different if certain pivotal experiences, or turning points, hadnʼt occurred?

Huffington Post

Ahead of his set at Fabric this weekend, D'Julz (real name Julien Veniel) wanted to tell us about the dedication to music that led him to a pair of pivotal experiences at London's premier gay club Heaven.

Vice

In THUMP Specials Danny Krivit: 45 Years of DJing, we hear firsthand about the pivotal experiences that led him to where he is today, from growing up working and eventually spinning in the Ninth Circle a popular steakhouse-turned-disco owned by his father and frequented by Jimi Hendrix to building up his now 80,000 strong record collection.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

'The pivotal experience was the Blair Peach incident.

The Guardian - Travel

In the catalog preface, Hugh M. Davies, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, recounts a pivotal experience that Mr. Kelly had as a child.

The New York Times - Arts

"This was a pivotal experience very early on in my career," she says, "and I have worked with people with neurological conditions since".

The Guardian

Mr. Earle said a pivotal experience came in 1979, when a woman told him what had happened after her husband was shot in an act of random violence.

The New York Times

Mr. Orb returned to the United States to attend the Taft School, a private boarding school in Watertown, Connecticut, and a pivotal experience in his life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal experiences" to emphasize the importance of specific events that significantly influence a person's life or a particular outcome. It conveys a sense of crucial impact and lasting effect.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal experiences" to describe minor events or situations. This phrase is best reserved for genuinely significant and transformative moments to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal experiences" functions as a noun phrase, where 'pivotal' modifies 'experiences'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It often acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting significant moments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pivotal experiences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes significant and transformative events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, suggesting versatility. Related phrases such as "essential experiences" and "critical experiences" offer similar meanings, and it's important to reserve the phrase for genuinely significant moments to maintain its impact. The phrase functions primarily as a noun phrase, emphasizing the importance of certain occurrences and with a neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental experiences

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the experiences.

essential experiences

Highlights the necessity of these experiences for development.

critical experiences

Stresses the importance and decisive nature of the experiences.

key experiences

Focuses on the crucial role these experiences play.

major experiences

Highlights the significant impact and scale of the experiences.

transformative experiences

Emphasizes the life-altering impact of the experiences.

life-changing experiences

Focuses on how these experiences alter one's life path.

defining moments

Refers to specific instances that shape one's identity or future.

turning points

Highlights the shift in direction caused by these experiences.

formative experiences

Emphasizes the role of these experiences in shaping one's development.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal experiences" to describe significant events that have a major impact on someone's life or a particular situation. For example, "Her travels abroad were "pivotal experiences" that shaped her worldview."

What are some alternatives to "pivotal experiences"?

Some alternatives to "pivotal experiences" include "essential experiences", "critical experiences", "key experiences", or "transformative experiences". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "pivotal experience" or "pivotal experiences" more appropriate?

The choice between "pivotal experience" and "pivotal experiences" depends on whether you're referring to a single, defining event or multiple events. Use "pivotal experience" for a singular event and "pivotal experiences" for multiple events.

What makes an experience "pivotal"?

An experience is considered "pivotal" when it serves as a turning point or a crucial factor in shaping a person's life, decisions, or understanding. It has a significant and lasting impact.