a blanket judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket judgment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a judgment or opinion that is overly general or sweeping in nature. For example, "The teacher made a blanket judgment that no one in the class was capable of understanding the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She added: "It seems they are using a completely non-transparent process to arrive at a blanket judgment about a whole group of people".

The Guardian

The appeal of bundling is partly that it reduces transaction costs: instead of having to figure out how much each part of a package is worth to you, you can make a blanket judgment.

The New Yorker

In 2011, I 'fessed up here to the review I most regret, but there's a blanket judgment I regret even more — one I delivered in my very first article for the magazine, in 1999.

The New Yorker

Dawkins, she said, had posed the question: "Why do intelligent people believe this garbage?" In What Should I Believe?, Rowe gives an answer, though with less of a blanket judgment as to the rubbishness or otherwise of the religious outlook.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, given their variability, the results do not imply a blanket judgment of all institutions.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Still, it's a little early to pass blanket judgment on an entire generation of whom the youngest members are only on the cusp of high school.

Huffington Post

First, The Open Letter has not refuted the Da'esh's blanket judgment that democracy is against Islam is a form of apostasy.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

What is inappropriate is when policymakers espouse blanket judgments about teachers who use a platform they don't personally use or understand.

Huffington Post

"She doesn't make blanket judgments," she said.

The New Yorker

Dr. Rich, who sees many teenagers who struggle with Internet-related issues, feels strongly that it is important to avoid blanket judgments about the dangers of going online.

The New York Times - Health

But because they are Afghan by origin, the SMB passes blanket judgments of "voluntary repatriation".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blanket judgment" when you want to express that someone is making a wide-ranging and undifferentiated assessment without considering specific details or nuances. Ensure the context supports this sense of overgeneralization.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket judgment" when you actually mean a comprehensive analysis based on data, not a sweeping generalization. Make sure that you emphasize individual particularities instead of neglecting them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket judgment" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a judgment that is broad, indiscriminate, and often unfair. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket judgment" refers to an overly general or sweeping decision that doesn't account for individual circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Its function is primarily to criticize or highlight the lack of specificity in an assessment, often implying unfairness. Predominantly found in news and media, its register is neutral, lending itself to objective analysis. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a broad, undifferentiated assessment rather than a comprehensive or nuanced analysis. For related concepts, you might also consider "sweeping generalization" or "broad assessment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sweeping generalization

Focuses more on the broad, often inaccurate, nature of the statement.

a broad assessment

Emphasizes the wide scope of the evaluation.

a general conclusion

Highlights the summary nature of the judgement, drawn from limited information.

an oversimplified view

Suggests the judgment lacks nuance and complexity.

a categorical assessment

Implies a judgment based on rigid categories, without allowing for exceptions.

a universal claim

Indicates that the judgment applies to everyone or everything, without exception.

a wholesale condemnation

Refers to a complete and total disapproval or rejection.

a one-size-fits-all approach

Highlights the lack of individual consideration in the judgment.

a hasty generalization

Indicates that the judgment was formed quickly, without sufficient evidence.

an all-encompassing verdict

Emphasizes that the judgment includes or affects everything.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "a blanket judgment" in a sentence?

Use "a blanket judgment" when you want to convey that someone is making an overly general or sweeping decision without accounting for specific details or individual circumstances. For example, "The policy was criticized for making "a blanket judgment" about all students."

What are some alternatives to "a blanket judgment"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "sweeping generalization", "broad assessment", or "general conclusion". These alternatives also imply a lack of specific consideration.

Is "a blanket judgment" the same as "a comprehensive assessment"?

No, "a blanket judgment" implies a lack of specific consideration, whereas a "comprehensive assessment" suggests a thorough analysis. The former is often negative, while the latter is generally positive.

In what situations is it inappropriate to use the term "a blanket judgment"?

Avoid using "a blanket judgment" when describing situations where a careful and detailed evaluation has been performed. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where decisions are made hastily or without adequate information about specific cases.