pivotal situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pivotal situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a critical or crucial moment that significantly influences the outcome of a situation. Example: "The negotiations reached a pivotal situation when both parties agreed to compromise on key issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Manager Joe Girardi was delighted at Chamberlain's aggressive approach, especially going to his strength in such a pivotal situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Howe seems to be giving license to Long, their leadoff hitter, and he would probably look to run in a pivotal situation against someone like reliever Jeff Nelson, who is vulnerable to the stolen base.

The New York Times - Sports

The Red Sox began the day seven games behind the Yankees in the American League East, and Bard said he did not want to be the one who lost the game for Boston in a pivotal situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Very rarely, because it generally would need to come in a pivotal situation — such as when the score was tied, or there was a man on base or the count was perhaps one ball and one strike and the difference between a ball and a strike would lead to a shift of 300 points in the average batter's on-base plus slugging percentage.

The New York Times - Sports

In a statement published on the club's official website, Al Fayed said: "The FA's problem in addressing this pivotal situation is that it has too much power.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Joe Maddon, the Rays' manager, noted how Crawford is typically running in pivotal situations.

The New York Times - Sports

Several teams have terrific closers, but Rivera is the closer who never fails in the most pivotal situations.

The New York Times - Sports

However, participants attributed more responsibility to A when he was pivotal (Situations 3 and 4) compared to when he was not pivotal (Situations 1 and 2), t 39) = 6.63, p <.001, r =.53.

Cognitive Science

It is the pivotal point situation in which several different physical and biological interactions converge.

Cancer Management and Research

Whereas only one change would already render A non-pivotal in situation 2 (i.e., changing B), three changes are required to render A non-pivotal in situation 4. The notion of "changes away from pivotality" seems a viable extension to the responsibility model, and will be pursued in future work.

Cognitive Science

Defenses have tried to take Hilliard away from the Giants in many pivotal passing situations, but increasingly, it's as if the Giants have been trying to throw deep to Amani Toomer while Joe Jurevicius has picked up more of the medium-length routes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pivotal situation" to highlight a moment or set of circumstances that significantly impacts the direction or outcome of events. It adds weight to the importance of the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "pivotal situation" to describe everyday occurrences or minor challenges. Reserve it for truly significant moments where the outcome hinges on the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pivotal situation" functions as a noun phrase where "pivotal" modifies the noun "situation". It identifies a specific condition that holds great significance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pivotal situation" denotes a crucial or decisive moment. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and well-regarded. While not extremely common, it's effectively used in both news and scientific contexts to underscore the significance of specific circumstances. For more common phrases, consider alternatives like "critical situation" or "crucial moment". Use "pivotal situation" when you want to highlight the turning point nature of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical situation

Highlights the urgency and potential for negative outcomes, differing slightly in tone.

crucial moment

Focuses on a specific point in time where the outcome is significantly affected.

key juncture

Implies a turning point or a decision-making moment of great consequence.

decisive event

Emphasizes the impact of a particular occurrence on subsequent events.

turning point

Signifies a major change in direction or outcome.

significant circumstance

Indicates a notable set of conditions that have a considerable effect.

vital instance

Stresses the importance and necessity of a particular case or occurrence.

strategic opportunity

Highlights the potential for advantageous outcomes if handled correctly.

moment of truth

Focuses on a point where a decision or action will reveal the true nature of something.

essential context

Emphasizes the fundamental and necessary background or circumstances.

FAQs

What does "pivotal situation" mean?

A "pivotal situation" is a critical moment or circumstance that significantly influences the outcome of events. It's a turning point where decisions or actions have a major impact.

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

You might say, "The negotiations reached a "pivotal situation" when both parties agreed to compromise," emphasizing the importance of that moment.

What can I say instead of "pivotal situation"?

Alternatives include "critical situation", "crucial moment", or "key juncture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pivotal situation" formal or informal?

"Pivotal situation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it lends a more serious tone. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall purpose of the communication.