an unwise decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unwise decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice or action that is not considered to be wise or prudent. Example: "Choosing to invest all his savings in a single stock was clearly an unwise decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But, unfortunately, it was an unwise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

No, it wasn't an unwise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

"In those precise circumstances it seems an unwise decision".

The Guardian

"This was an unwise decision," said Abdulatif Kablan, an airline pilot.

The New York Times

A patient's determination to make an unwise decision does not justify a doctor's deceit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Orde told the BBC: "In those precise circumstances it seems an unwise decision".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The troupe made an artistically unwise decision in opening its two-week season with "Swan Lake".

The New York Times - Arts

Sanchez's presence in the game — after Smith's poor performance had effectively declared Sanchez triumphant — could be argued as an incredibly unwise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

This proves to be a spectacularly unwise decision.

The New York Times

Disrupting 405,000 legitimate students twice a week, every week, to weed out 2% of potential fraud cases, is in my opinion a very unwise decision.

The Guardian

"This is going to wind up being a very unwise decision that will not be classified historically as resolve," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "an unwise decision" with a brief explanation of its negative outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "an unwise decision" when the foolishness of the decision is already abundantly clear from the context. Instead, focus on the consequences or implications of the decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unwise decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "unwise" is an adjective modifying the noun "decision". It describes a particular type of decision characterized by a lack of wisdom or good judgment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unwise decision" is a commonly used phrase to describe a choice or action lacking good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and serves to express disapproval or criticism. Alternatives like "a regrettable choice" or "a poor judgment call" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies the reasons behind the decision's lack of wisdom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A regrettable choice

Focuses on the feeling of regret associated with the decision.

A poor judgment call

Emphasizes the lack of good judgment involved.

An ill-advised action

Highlights the lack of proper advice or consideration before acting.

A misguided step

Suggests the decision led in the wrong direction.

A foolish move

Implies a lack of intelligence or common sense.

A reckless gamble

Highlights the riskiness and lack of caution in the decision.

An imprudent course of action

Stresses the lack of prudence or careful consideration.

A shortsighted plan

Focuses on the lack of long-term thinking in the decision.

A blunder

Implies a significant and embarrassing mistake.

An error in judgment

Highlights the faulty reasoning behind the decision.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "an unwise decision"?

You can use alternatives such as "a regrettable choice", "a poor judgment call", or "a foolish move" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "an unwise decision" in a sentence?

Use "an unwise decision" to describe a choice or action that demonstrates poor judgment or has negative consequences. For example: "Investing all his savings in one company proved to be an unwise decision."

What makes a decision qualify as "an unwise decision"?

A decision is considered "an unwise decision" when it goes against sound judgment, lacks foresight, or results in unfavorable outcomes. Often, it's clear in hindsight that a better choice could have been made.

Is it always negative to call something "an unwise decision"?

Yes, calling something "an unwise decision" is inherently negative. It implies that the decision was flawed and likely led to undesirable results. Consider milder terms if you want to be less critical.