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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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pivotal of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "pivotal to" or "pivotal for." Example: "The research findings are pivotal to our understanding of climate change."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Westchester is said to be the most pivotal of the state's suburban areas, and probably the single most strategic territory in statewide elections.

News & Media

The New York Times

Tom Segev, who has just published, in English, an account of the most pivotal of all the Arab-Israeli wars, "1967: Israel, the War and the Year That Transformed the Middle East" (Metropolitan; $35), is the most journalistic of the New Historians.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But perhaps one of the most pivotal of all was the 2005 clash.

News & Media

BBC

Probably, artificial arena of Phalaenopsis orchid breeding might supply direct and relatively recent clues for the pivotal of TEs in the generation of selectable cultivars in Phalaenopsis orchids.

The decade that Strauss spent at the New School was arguably the most productive, and certainly the most pivotal, of his intellectual career.

Science

SEP

The main topic of this paper is to focus on the communication function which is a pivotal of intelligent distributed control systems.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Like funky Forrest Gumps, ACR seem to have been present at scores of pivotal moments of pop history.

Boy George says the song has a "hint of 'Cabaret' " and makes one of the pivotal points of the show.

News & Media

The New York Times

As it was, she befriended many of the pivotal figures of the day, most famously Michelangelo.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Yesterday's testimony on Mr. Louima's height turned on one of the pivotal details of the case.

News & Media

The New York Times

Begin with the pivotal doctrine of freedom of speech.

Science

SEP
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal to" or "pivotal for" instead of "pivotal of" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "This decision is pivotal to our success."

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "pivotal". The correct prepositions are "to" or "for", depending on the context. Using "pivotal of" is a grammatical error that can detract from your writing's credibility.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal of" functions as an incorrect prepositional phrase intended to modify a noun or pronoun. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the correct form would be "pivotal to" or "pivotal for". It attempts to highlight the importance or critical nature of something in relation to something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pivotal of" is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage is "pivotal to" or "pivotal for". While examples exist in various sources, its incorrect structure undermines its effectiveness. The intended meaning is to emphasize importance or a critical role. To maintain clarity and credibility, it is recommended to use the correct prepositional phrases or explore alternatives such as "critical for" or "essential to".

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with "pivotal"?

The correct prepositions to use with "pivotal" are "to" or "for", depending on the context. For example, you can say "pivotal to success" or "pivotal for growth".

Is it grammatically correct to say "pivotal of"?

No, it is not grammatically correct to say "pivotal of". The correct usage is "pivotal to" or "pivotal for".

What can I say instead of "pivotal of"?

Since "pivotal of" is incorrect, you can use alternatives like "critical for", "crucial to", or "essential to", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I ensure I use "pivotal" correctly in a sentence?

Always follow "pivotal" with the prepositions "to" or "for". Review your sentences to confirm the correct preposition is used to maintain grammatical accuracy. If the meaning is similar, "important for" can also be used.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: