a better judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a better judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about improving your judgment or decision making ability. For example: "Making good decisions requires practice, and with time we can gain a better judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A better judgment is TS Eliot's: "Real irony is an expression of suffering, and the greatest ironist was the one who suffered the most – Swift".

The Guardian - Books

'We won, but so many didn't come back,' says Kate. 'We were too busy defending the judgment on appeal to go back and appeal for a better judgment.

The Guardian - Arts

May has dismissed her own department's official assessment of the impact of her policy on overseas student visas, and has instead asked the migration advisory committee for a "better assessment and a better judgment of the true picture".

The Guardian

While not criticizing Judge Mihm's decision, Mr. Rivkin said that criminal courts are "a crapshoot," with wildly varying sentences, while the military commissions "arrive at a better judgment, being comprised of warriors, as to what level of danger the person poses".

The New York Times

Apparently, Darren Lehmann thinks that the square leg umpire could do the calling, although how he thinks an official more than 25 yards away at an oblique angle can make a better judgment than his colleague at the bowler's end makes little sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr. Hodes said he hopes "The Alzheimer's Project" "will allow people to make a better judgment of how they think research ought to be supported," whether through government financing (although the National Institutes of Health doesn't lobby) or by participating in clinical research as a human subject.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

So, against a my better judgment I asked someone to hold my phone for me and he accidentally dropped my phone into water and it sank to the bottom.

Independent

He admitted in a BFI interview at the National Film Theatre in 2002 that he had always had to bear the cross of initially finding Frankie Howerd "death-defyingly unfunny" when auditioning him in Germany, though had the sense to defer to a colleague's better judgment.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Attention quickly focused on a 2001 speech in which Judge Sotomayor suggested that a Latina judge might have better judgment than a white male judge.

The New York Times

The "externalist turn" toward downplaying the role of an agent's better judgment and emphasizing other psychic factors instead is connected to a second way in which some theorists writing after Davidson have dissented from his analysis.

SEP

How, concretely, could an agent's better judgment go astray in this way?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for "a better judgment", consider gathering diverse perspectives and data points before making a decision. This helps to mitigate bias and improve accuracy.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on gut feelings when seeking "a better judgment". Supplement intuition with thorough analysis and factual evidence to avoid potential errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a better judgment" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes an improved or more sound decision-making ability. Ludwig's examples show its usage across diverse contexts, highlighting its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a better judgment" is a correct and usable phrase in English, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is commonly used to denote improved decision-making abilities across various fields, including news, science, and formal communication. To achieve "a better judgment", it is advised to gather diverse insights and data, avoid over-reliance on intuition, and learn from past experiences. Alternative phrases such as "improved assessment" and ""sounder decision"" can be used for variety. When incorporating this phrase into writing, be mindful of the context and audience, ensuring a balanced and well-informed approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improved assessment

Focuses on the improvement of the evaluation process itself.

sounder decision

Emphasizes the quality and reliability of the decision made.

wiser choice

Highlights the wisdom and prudence behind a selection.

more informed opinion

Stresses that the opinion is based on better information.

superior analysis

Highlights a better, in-depth examination of the element analyzed.

enhanced discernment

Emphasizes the improved ability to distinguish and understand.

refined perception

Points to a clearer and more accurate understanding.

more accurate evaluation

Focuses on increasing the accuracy and precision of an assessment.

keener insight

Highlights a deeper and sharper understanding of a situation.

sharper reasoning

Indicates an improvement in the clarity and effectiveness of thought processes.

FAQs

How can I improve my ability to exercise "a better judgment"?

Improving your ability to exercise "a better judgment" involves actively seeking diverse information, analyzing potential biases, and reflecting on past decisions to learn from both successes and failures.

What does it mean to act against my "a better judgment"?

Acting against your "a better judgment" means making a decision or taking an action that you know is not the wisest or most prudent course, despite understanding the potential negative consequences. It is a voluntary action despite having a "sounder decision" available.

In what situations is it particularly important to use "a better judgment"?

Using "a better judgment" is crucial in situations involving high stakes, ethical dilemmas, or significant financial implications. These scenarios demand careful consideration and "more informed opinion".

What are some synonyms for "a better judgment" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "a better judgment" include phrases like "improved assessment", ""sounder decision"", or "wiser choice", depending on the context of your writing.