pivotal reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal reference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a crucial or essential point of reference in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In her research, she identified a pivotal reference that changed the course of her argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Agricultural and Food Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The sugar industry was the pivotal reference to test price transmission.

Agricultural and Food Economics

The ability to link sequence and diversity information to physiological functions, plant development and agronomic traits in rice will encourage a new generation of highly qualified and competent young scientists to the field of rice research and will simultaneously expand the foundation for comparative genomics using rice as a pivotal reference genome.

Rice

In fact they may be less independent than they appear at first, as the experts surveyed by Prüss-Üstün and Corvalan were probably well aware of the Doll and Peto pivotal reference.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For the evolution of Hymenoptera GOs, the pivotal points in the reference tree were: 1) the origin of Hymenoptera Apocrita (an undisputed clade) 200 205 Ma; 2) the origin of Aculeata (another undisputed clade) 150 160 Ma; and 3) the origin of ants (Formicidae) 110 120 Ma.

Genome Biology and Evolution

The piece took him back into the book, with its references to pivotal Moses battles like that over Central Park (Moses wanted to expand Tavern on the Green's parking lot; parents wanted to save their playground; they won) or Moses' bitterness at having Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller accept his resignation.

The New York Times

See also relativity for details of how contemplation of the speed of light as measured in different reference frames was pivotal to the development of Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity in 1905.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Progress towards establishing a globally shared vocabulary and reference architecture will be pivotal to this goal.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Since the level of risk acceptance is pivotal to making the best choice, a reference value for the RBAT can be obtained from expert consensus or surveys, or by using case-fatality rate ratios.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It also references the opening scene of that pivotal episode in season three, when Omar and Brother Mouzone compared the respective strengths of a Colt 45 and a Walther PPK 380.

The Guardian

While speaking of the intersection between social activism and the cultural path that would define his existence, Belafonte introduced the pivotal role that Robeson played in his development, referencing him frequently throughout the evening.

Huffington Post

Only pivotal articles are presented because of page constraints and reference number limits.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize the "pivotal reference" by briefly explaining its significance. This helps the reader understand why it is considered pivotal.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal reference" when a simpler term like "important reference" would suffice. Overusing "pivotal" can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal reference" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "pivotal" modifies the noun "reference", emphasizing its critical importance. This is used to highlight a source or piece of information that is essential to understanding a subject, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Agricultural and Food Economics

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pivotal reference" is used to describe a source or piece of information that is critically important. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently encountered in scientific, news, and economics contexts. To ensure correct usage, reserve "pivotal reference" for truly essential sources and consider alternatives like "major reference" or "key reference" when appropriate. Overuse can dilute the impact of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major reference

This alternative suggests a reference of great importance or significance, similar to "pivotal reference".

seminal reference

This alternative implies a reference that is highly influential and groundbreaking, like a "pivotal reference".

fundamental reference

This suggests a reference that serves as a basic and essential foundation, akin to a "pivotal reference".

vital reference

This alternative emphasizes the necessity and importance of the reference, similar to "pivotal reference".

determinant reference

This indicates that the reference is key in determining an outcome, similar to "pivotal reference".

primary reference

This alternative highlights the reference as being the most important or main one.

indispensable reference

This suggests a reference that is absolutely necessary or essential, akin to "pivotal reference".

basic reference

This alternative implies a reference that is at the base or foundation of a discussion.

important reference

This is a general alternative that denotes a reference of significance. It is more general than "pivotal reference".

key reference

This emphasizes the reference as a key or central element, like "pivotal reference".

FAQs

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

You can use "pivotal reference" to describe a source or piece of information that is critically important to understanding or influencing a particular situation. For example: "The Doll and Peto study is a "pivotal reference" in environmental health research."

What are some alternatives to "pivotal reference"?

Alternatives to "pivotal reference" include "major reference", "seminal reference", or "key reference". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a reference "pivotal"?

A reference is considered "pivotal" when it is essential or critically important, often marking a turning point or significant influence in a particular context. It goes beyond being merely supportive and holds a central role.

In what fields is the term "pivotal reference" commonly used?

The term "pivotal reference" is commonly used in fields like science, academia, and economics where specific sources of information are of utmost importance to a study or discussion. It can also be found in media when referring to specific events.