adjudicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adjudicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of making a judgement on a matter, or settling an argument or dispute. Example sentence: The judge was asked to adjudicate the dispute between the two companies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This would decide how much a country could afford to pay and adjudicate between different classes of creditor.

The Guardian - Business

Should any disagreements over the deposit occur once the tenancy ends, the scheme can then adjudicate fairly.

The Guardian

It is not my function to arbitrate or adjudicate in this matter – I am a passionate supporter of Israel.

The Guardian

Think of the class war not as the hope of hanging the bourgeoisie from lampposts but in the language of John Rawls, an American liberal philosopher: the interests of different groups often "collide", and it is the duty of a democratic government to "adjudicate" between rival claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

It urged schools to set up committees to adjudicate complaints of sexual wrongdoing, even of heinous crimes such as rape.

The Economist

Those who want American courts to adjudicate on the world's problems will have to look elsewhere.

The Economist

They do not belong at the WTO, which has neither the expertise nor the legitimacy to adjudicate on them.

The Economist

Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne would adjudicate, pronouncing "you're cut!" instead of "you're fired!".

The Economist

The government may not always regulate or provide the oversight needed to avoid crises like the current one, but the power of the state to enforce contracts, adjudicate disputes, and provide a basic social safety net is the reason that most of us can sleepy soundly in our beds tonight.

The Economist

The court anyway had no powers to adjudicate on either the constitution or any amendments, the government says.Not so, says Mate Daniel Szabo, a constitutional lawyer at the Eotvos Karoly Institute, a think-tank.

The Economist

And when the WTO has been called on to adjudicate, no government has yet defied any of its rulings.Thus America amended petrol standards when the WTO judged that they discriminated against Venezuelan products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adjudicate" when you want to emphasize the formal or authoritative nature of the decision-making process. It suggests a more structured and impartial approach compared to simply "deciding" or "judging."

Common error

Avoid using "adjudicate" in everyday conversation or informal settings where a simpler word like "decide" or "judge" would suffice. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adjudicate" is as a verb. It describes the action of making a formal judgment or ruling, typically in a legal or official context. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains, indicating its versatility in conveying this specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adjudicate" is a verb used to describe the act of formally resolving a dispute or making a judgment, primarily in legal or official contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, carrying a formal and authoritative tone. To ensure accurate usage, reserve "adjudicate" for scenarios involving structured decision-making processes and avoid it in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "decide" or "judge" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arbitrate

Highlights the role of a neutral third party in resolving a dispute, similar to "adjudicate" but often implies a less formal setting.

hand down a decision

Emphasizes the formal delivery of a judgment or ruling, usually by a court or legal body.

judge

Emphasizes the role of an official authority in making a judgment, but can be less formal than "adjudicate".

decide

Focuses on the act of making a choice or reaching a conclusion, lacking the formal or legal connotation of "adjudicate".

rule

Indicates the pronouncement of a decision, often by an authority, but may not always involve a complex dispute as with "adjudicate".

resolve

Stresses the act of finding a solution to a problem or dispute, broader than the legal or formal context of "adjudicate".

settle

Implies bringing a dispute to an end, often through compromise, differing from the authoritative nature of "adjudicate".

mediate

Focuses on facilitating a compromise between parties, differing from "adjudicate" which implies a final decision.

determine

Focuses on the act of finding something out or establishing it precisely, it may or may not refer to conflicts.

pass judgment

Highlights the act of forming an opinion or evaluation, carrying with it the implication of criticism, and lacks the neutrality suggested by "adjudicate".

FAQs

How to use "adjudicate" in a sentence?

You can use "adjudicate" to describe a formal judgment or resolution process. For example, "The court will "adjudicate" the contract dispute" or "An independent panel was formed to "adjudicate" the claims".

What can I say instead of "adjudicate"?

Alternatives include "decide", "judge", "arbitrate", "mediate", or "resolve", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "adjudicate" and "arbitrate"?

"Adjudicate" generally implies a more formal or legal setting for dispute resolution, while "arbitrate" suggests a more informal process involving a neutral third party. Both involve making a final decision, but their settings and procedures differ.

When is it appropriate to use "adjudicate" over "judge"?

Use "adjudicate" when emphasizing the formal process of making a judgment, especially in legal or official contexts. "Judge" can be used more broadly, while "adjudicate" specifically refers to the act of settling disputes through an official proceeding.