pivotal force

USAGE SUMMARY

"pivotal force" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an influential person or group who has the power to shape the course of events in an important way. For example, "The president was a pivotal force in the negotiations and was ultimately responsible for achieving the desired outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Her generosity and wisdom made her a pivotal force in the lives of her family and her many friends.

The New York Times

He demanded, therefore, that historical narrative include "the range and wildness of individuality, the pivotal force of trifles, the manifestations of greatness, the failures of unquestioned talent".

The New Yorker

By now, though, Trott was established and he went on to become the pivotal force of the innings while others played small but vital cameos around him.

The Guardian - Sport

The April 6 Movement, a pivotal force in the uprising, was one of the few liberal groups to make a conspicuous presence on Friday.

The New York Times

The announcement is the first time the Greens have been specific about their priorities if the party manages to be a pivotal force in a hung parliament, considered possible especially in the upper house.

The Guardian

Chief Executive Miranda McKearney, said: "We intend to grow that [volunteer] army into a pivotal force for social change, reaching and inspiring the people who right now don't enjoy reading".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This it may be in the same way that Juventus v Internazionale is the "Derby d'Italia" – a showdown between, traditionally, Serie A's two pivotal forces.

Independent

"Campbell was a pivotal, campaigning force for us," said Treen.

The Guardian

It was suggested that the convergent molecular evolution of IFT genes and RFX TFs could have provided a pivotal driving force in the evolution and emergence of metazoans [53].

Plosone

This involved accepting that there is no 'quick fix' and that carers/parents are a pivotal driving force of change.

BMC Psychiatry

The convergent molecular evolution of IFT genes and RFX TFs might have provided a pivotal driving force in the emergence and evolution of metazoans.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal force" to emphasize a person, group, or factor that plays a crucial and transformative role in a particular situation or outcome. It's particularly effective when highlighting influence that determines the course of events.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal force" for minor influences or situations where the impact is not significantly transformative. Reserve it for contexts where the influence is truly decisive and alters the trajectory of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal force" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an entity (person, group, or factor) exerting significant influence. It is frequently used to highlight the decisive impact of this entity on events, outcomes, or processes. Ludwig confirms that it describes an influential person or group with the power to shape events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pivotal force" is a commonly used phrase to describe a person, group, or factor that has a decisive impact on a particular situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes an influential entity that shapes the course of events. The phrase is grammatically correct and is most frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. While powerful, it should be reserved for situations where the influence is truly transformative, avoiding overuse in simple situations. Related phrases include "key influence" and "driving factor", offering similar but nuanced ways to express critical impact. "Pivotal force" serves to highlight significant influence and emphasize the importance of a particular entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key influence

Replaces "force" with "influence", focusing on the power to affect something.

major influence

Substitutes "pivotal" with "major", emphasizing the importance of the influence.

driving factor

Changes the metaphor from "force" to "factor", highlighting the cause of an event.

key driver

Combines "key" and "driver" to emphasize the instrumental nature of the element.

central element

Shifts from "force" to "element", focusing on a necessary part of the whole.

critical factor

Emphasizes the importance of the factor, suggesting it is essential for success or change.

essential element

Similar to "central element", but highlights the necessity of the element.

cornerstone

Uses a metaphorical term to indicate the foundational importance of something.

linchpin

Highlights the role as a crucial connecting factor.

mainspring

Uses a metaphorical term to denote the primary motivating cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal force" to describe someone or something that is critically important in influencing an outcome. For instance, "The community leader was a "pivotal force" in the neighborhood's revitalization efforts".

What are some alternatives to using "pivotal force"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "key influence", "driving factor", or "cornerstone" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "pivotal force" formal or informal?

"Pivotal force" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's often used in news articles, academic papers, and professional communications to highlight significant influence.

What makes "pivotal force" different from "important factor"?

"Pivotal force" suggests a more transformative and decisive influence than "important factor". "Important factor" simply indicates something that matters, while "pivotal force" implies something that is essential for a specific outcome or change.