pivotal meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal meeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a meeting that is crucial or of great importance in a particular context or situation. Example: "The board held a pivotal meeting to discuss the future direction of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It proved to be a pivotal meeting for them both.

The New Yorker

It was a pivotal meeting, but neither side had anticipated one thing: Deng was a natural.

The New Yorker

Say a co-worker shows up for a pivotal meeting wearing a plaid blouse and a polka-dot skirt.

The New York Times

On the day that the Bancroft-family representatives went to their pivotal meeting with Murdoch, Ottaway told me, "I'm in mourning".

The New Yorker

But a pivotal meeting in Edmonton yesterday apparently produced little, and afterward Nichols sounded as if the ownership group was distancing itself from Lowe.

The New York Times - Sports

In one disagreement, Mr. Goolsbee supported bailing out General Motors but not Chrysler; when Mr. Summers did not invite Mr. Goolsbee to a pivotal meeting, Mr. Obama summoned him to hear his views.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The Audience imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen.

Independent

Neither Aung San Suu Kyi nor NLD spokespeople have commented on the pivotal meetings.

The Guardian

The "senior executive" and president of Tyson International, who was at the pivotal meetings which resulted in direct payments to the veterinarians, was Greg Huett.

The New York Times

So went one of several pivotal meetings in Microsoft's long, on-and-off courtship of Nokia, which finally ended this week with the software giant's $7.2 billion agreement to purchase the Finnish company's mobile phone and services business.

The New York Times

"This is one of the most pivotal meetings for the ECB in recent years and it holds considerable event risk for the single currency," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at Forex.com.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal meeting" when you want to emphasize that the outcome of the meeting will have a significant impact on future decisions or events. It suggests that the meeting is a turning point.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal meeting" to describe routine discussions. Reserve it for situations where the meeting genuinely determines a crucial shift or outcome, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal meeting" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "pivotal" modifies the noun "meeting". As shown in Ludwig, it highlights the significance or importance of the meeting in question. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal meeting" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe a meeting of significant importance. As per Ludwig AI, it’s correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news media and business contexts, indicating its suitability for formal communication. When writing, use "pivotal meeting" to underscore the critical nature of a discussion and its potential to influence future events. Be mindful not to overuse it in trivial situations. Alternatives include "critical meeting" and "essential meeting", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical meeting

Emphasizes the potentially negative consequences if the meeting doesn't go well.

essential meeting

Highlights the necessity of the meeting for achieving a specific outcome.

key meeting

Indicates the meeting is a central component of a larger process or plan.

significant meeting

Focuses on the meeting's notable impact or importance.

important meeting

A general term indicating that the meeting carries weight and should be taken seriously.

decisive meeting

Suggests the meeting will lead to a firm decision or resolution.

momentous meeting

Implies the meeting is of great historical or lasting significance.

strategic meeting

Highlights that the meeting serves a specific strategic purpose or goal.

game-changing meeting

Suggests the meeting will dramatically alter the course of events or outcomes.

high-stakes meeting

Emphasizes the potential risks and rewards associated with the meeting's outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal meeting" to describe a meeting that is crucial or of great importance. For example, "The company held a "pivotal meeting" to discuss the new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "pivotal meeting"?

Alternatives include "critical meeting", "essential meeting", or "key meeting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a meeting "pivotal"?

A "pivotal meeting" is one where the decisions or outcomes have a significant and lasting impact on future events or directions. It's a turning point that influences subsequent actions.

Is it appropriate to use "pivotal meeting" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "pivotal meeting" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal situations, simpler terms like "important meeting" might be more appropriate.