pivotal reason

USAGE SUMMARY

'pivotal reason' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a particularly important or essential reason behind a decision or a situation. For example, "The pivotal reason why I decided to move abroad was because of the career opportunities it offered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The caucus accused Mr. Ashcroft of distorting Judge White's record on the bench and cited the incident as a pivotal reason for their opposition to his selection as attorney general.

The New York Times

Yet a more pivotal reason that Digg is falling behind, analysts say, is that users are simply spending more time on Facebook and Twitter than they are on Digg.

The New York Times - Tech

Behind the quips lay the pivotal reason for Lambert's downfall.

BBC

It's axiomatic that the pivotal reason companies don't scale is the owner or some leader gets in the way.

Forbes

He identifies this as the pivotal reason he chose Singapore to launch his business model instead of London.

BBC

So, it is clear that Iron pyrite (FeS2) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) which are released during mining operations is the pivotal reason for the degradation of the soil of the surrounding area.

Environmental Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Charles Delaney and Sue Carol figure as the pivotal reasons for all the fuss.

The New York Times

Hepato-toxicity which is induced by drugs is one of the pivotal reasons for liver diseases [2].

Clinical Phytoscience

Black voters were pivotal.

The New York Times

Alcohol keeps a person from reasoning, and reason is pivotal to communal life, so alcohol means being ousted.

HuffPost

"There's a reason Pivotal was spun out.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal reason" when you want to emphasize that a particular reason is of utmost importance and has significantly influenced a decision or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal reason" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "main reason" or "key factor" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific reason and emphasizes its utmost importance or criticality. Ludwig showcases its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pivotal reason" is a grammatically correct and impactful phrase used to emphasize the most important justification behind a decision or event. While not overly common, it appears in credible sources, particularly news and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is best employed when highlighting a critical factor and should be varied with alternatives like "main reason" or "key factor" to avoid overuse. It's important to remember that "pivotal" already implies the highest level of importance, making constructions like "the most pivotal reason" redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

A more general term, lacking the emphasis on criticality.

critical factor

Similar, but focuses on importance for success.

key factor

Focuses on a contributing element, not explicitly a reason.

core rationale

Highlights the logical justification behind something.

primary cause

Emphasizes causality over justification.

fundamental basis

Stresses foundation and origin.

underlying justification

Focuses on the deeper, less obvious reason.

chief motive

Highlights intention and motivation more strongly.

driving force

Emphasizes the power behind an action or decision.

essential element

Broader, refers to necessary components, not reasons.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "pivotal reason" in a sentence?

Use "pivotal reason" to highlight the most important factor influencing a decision or outcome. For example, "The "pivotal reason" for the company's success was its innovative marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "pivotal reason"?

You can use alternatives like "main reason", "key factor", or "critical factor" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "the most pivotal reason"?

Yes, "pivotal" already implies the highest importance. Saying "the most pivotal reason" is generally considered redundant. Just use ""pivotal reason"".

What distinguishes "pivotal reason" from "important reason"?

"Pivotal reason" suggests that the reason was absolutely necessary and potentially decisive, while "important reason" simply indicates that the reason was significant but not necessarily critical.