turning point

USAGE SUMMARY

"turning point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a moment that marks a significant change of direction or course of action. For example: "The election of President Obama was a turning point in the history of the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Turning point?

The Economist

turning point?

The Washington Post

A turning point.

The New Yorker

Is it a turning point?

The Economist

Was it a turning point?

The New Yorker

It proved the turning point.

Independent

The game's turning point?

The New York Times - Sports

A turning point in history.

University of California, Berkeley

"She was the turning point," Gehry said.

Independent

It was a turning point for me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was a turning-point.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turning point" to describe moments that lead to significant and lasting changes. Avoid using it for minor or inconsequential events.

Common error

Avoid using "turning point" to describe small, everyday occurrences. Reserve it for situations with genuine long-term impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turning point" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves to identify a crucial moment that marks a significant change or shift in a narrative, process, or situation. Ludwig examples show its use in historical, personal, and even sports contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turning point" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, signifying a crucial moment of change. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it effectively highlights the significance of a specific point in time. While various alternatives exist, such as "watershed moment" or "critical juncture", it's important to reserve "turning point" for situations with genuine and lasting impact, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Ludwig examples showcase its adaptability and relevance across numerous domains, solidifying its status as a versatile and valuable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decisive moment

Focuses on the conclusive nature of the event.

pivotal moment

Indicates that something is hinged on this particular moment.

inflection point

Suggests a change in the curvature or direction of a trend or situation.

watershed moment

Highlights the idea of a significant division or change.

crossroads

Highlights the need for a decision between different paths or options.

critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

tipping point

Suggests that the situation has reached a point where a significant and irreversible change is imminent.

critical threshold

Implies that passing this point leads to a significant change.

moment of truth

Emphasizes the revealing or decisive nature of the situation.

game changer

Focuses on the transformative impact of the event or decision.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "turning point" in a sentence?

Use "turning point" to indicate a moment that signifies a major shift or change in direction. For instance, 'The invention of the internet was a "turning point" in communication history'.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "turning point"?

Alternatives to "turning point" include "critical juncture", "watershed moment", or "pivotal moment", each emphasizing a significant change or decision.

Is it appropriate to use "turning point" in formal writing?

Yes, "turning point" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and effectively conveys the idea of a significant shift or change in direction. Its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "turning point" and "tipping point"?

"Turning point" refers to a specific moment of change, while "tipping point" indicates the point at which a series of small changes becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change.