be judicious about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be judicious about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to be careful and thoughtful in their decisions or actions regarding a particular subject. Example: "When it comes to spending money, it's important to be judicious about your choices to ensure long-term financial stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Certainly you have to be judicious about what stays and what goes.

The New York Times

I think that, you know, we need to be judicious about that.

The New York Times

"The partnership needs to be judicious about how its leadership weighs in and where".

The New York Times

One would like to be judicious about these shows, and say who danced better than who, and so forth.

The New Yorker

But they tend to be judicious about using their money because many came here to escape the pressures of a daily office routine and city life.

The New York Times

John Inglis, the deputy director of the NSA, says operatives conducting the searches "try to be judicious about when to do a second hop or a third hop".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He is judicious about every purchase.

The New York Times

Once the tracks have been laid down, he is judicious about how he uses them in live performance.

The New York Times

Consequently, firms were judicious about what businesses they entered and how quickly they grew, often preferring to stay small and keep risk within limits they could understand.

The Guardian

The odd thing for a group that has usually been judicious about its claims and accurate in its facts is that it got key details wrong.

The New Yorker

Teixeira, who broke a tie with a homer off Boston's hard-throwing Daniel Bard last Saturday, said he was judicious about trying for a home run.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be judicious about", ensure that the context clearly defines what specific aspect requires careful consideration. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be judicious about" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "think carefully about" or "be careful with" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be judicious about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, advising caution and careful consideration in relation to a specific subject. Ludwig indicates that it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be judicious about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that advises thoughtful consideration and careful decision-making. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, lending itself well to situations where a neutral-to-formal tone is appropriate. When writing, it's crucial to define the area requiring consideration clearly and avoid overuse in informal settings. For alternatives, consider "exercise discernment regarding" or "think carefully about" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise discernment regarding

Emphasizes a refined ability to perceive and understand subtle differences; more formal.

show prudence concerning

Highlights careful and cautious behavior to avoid risks; more formal.

be circumspect with respect to

Implies wariness and unwillingness to take risks; more formal and cautious.

think carefully about

A more general and less formal way to express the need for consideration.

weigh your options regarding

Suggests a process of evaluating different possibilities; focuses on decision-making.

be cautious of

Highlights the need for care due to potential danger or problems.

apply sound judgment to

Focuses on using good sense and reasoning in making decisions.

use discretion in

Implies behaving or speaking with care and avoiding causing offense.

give careful consideration to

Stresses the importance of thoroughly thinking about something; more verbose.

act with foresight in

Emphasizes planning and anticipating future consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "be judicious about" in a sentence?

You can use "be judicious about" to advise caution or careful consideration. For example, "You need to be judicious about how you spend your money" or "We must be judicious about when we release sensitive information".

What are some alternatives to "be judicious about"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "exercise discernment regarding", "show prudence concerning", or "think carefully about", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "be judicious about"?

It's appropriate to use "be judicious about" in situations where careful judgment and thoughtful decision-making are required, especially when dealing with sensitive or potentially risky matters. It suits formal and professional contexts.

Is "be judicious about" formal or informal?

"Be judicious about" leans towards formal usage. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "be careful with" or "think carefully about" to maintain a more casual tone.