completely discretionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely discretionary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or action that is entirely left to someone's judgment or choice, without any obligation or requirement. Example: "The allocation of funds for the project is completely discretionary, allowing the manager to decide how to best utilize the resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This insurance fee is completely discretionary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whether or not we act on that is completely discretionary.

The New York Times - Magazine

That decision recognized an exception to the general rule that peremptory challenges are completely discretionary.

The New York Times

Such writings are completely discretionary, and they open a window onto the author's passions.

The New York Times

The other is to bypass the guidelines entirely and revert to completely discretionary sentencing, constrained only by the broad minimums and maximums in criminal statutes.

The New York Times

"These billionaire buyers are really united by one characteristic: their choice of residence is completely discretionary," said Kelly Mack, the president of the Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Total up all discretionary expenses.

WikiHow

The determination that GE crops are "substantially equivalent" to their conventionally grown or bred counterparts is a completely voluntary and discretionary 20-year old internal guideline.

Huffington Post

But all other discretionary government programs will.

The Guardian

And by the way, those are annual deficits that factor into the mix a completely insane five year freeze on discretionary spending -- a freeze that would surely plunge the American economy into a deep depression.

Huffington Post

They find that if Social Security was completely privatized, and retirees did not annuitize, discretionary spending could increase by as much as 22percentt for married adults and 38percentt for unmarried adults.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing policies or procedures, use "completely discretionary" to clearly indicate that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, without strict rules.

Common error

Avoid using "completely discretionary" to suggest that decisions are arbitrary or lack justification. Instead, ensure there's a transparent framework, even if the final choice rests on individual judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely discretionary" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it emphasizes that a decision or action is entirely based on someone's judgment and choice, without any mandatory requirements. Examples from Ludwig show it describing insurance fees, sentencing, and fund allocations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely discretionary" is used to emphasize that something is entirely optional and subject to individual choice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the discretionary nature is clearly understood and doesn't imply unaccountability. Alternatives like ""entirely optional"" or ""fully at one's discretion"" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely optional

Emphasizes the lack of obligation, focusing on the choice being non-compulsory.

fully at one's discretion

Highlights that the decision rests solely with the individual.

purely elective

Stresses the voluntary nature of the action or decision.

subject to individual choice

Focuses on the personal nature of the decision-making process.

optional and unrestricted

Combines the lack of obligation with the absence of limitations.

left to one's own judgment

Emphasizes the reliance on personal assessment and decision-making skills.

voluntary and unbound

Highlights the freedom from both compulsion and restrictions.

non-mandatory

Directly states that there is no requirement or compulsion involved.

up to the individual

Simplifies the concept by placing the decision directly with the person involved.

determined by personal preference

Links the decision to subjective likes and dislikes.

FAQs

How can I use "completely discretionary" in a sentence?

You can use "completely discretionary" to describe something that is optional or left to someone's judgment. For example, "The bonus is "entirely optional" and its amount is "completely discretionary"".

What are some alternatives to "completely discretionary"?

Some alternatives include "entirely optional", "fully at one's discretion", or "purely elective" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "completely discretionary"?

While "discretionary" already implies choice, adding "completely" emphasizes the total freedom and lack of obligation associated with the decision or action.

In what contexts is "completely discretionary" most appropriate?

"Completely discretionary" is fitting in contexts where decisions are intended to be flexible and tailored to individual circumstances, such as resource allocation, sentencing, or personal choices. However, be careful when using it in cases of child abuse, as the article suggests that "discretionary reporting" is failing and should be obligatory.