demonstrate a lack of judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demonstrate a lack of judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's poor decision-making or questionable choices in a particular situation. Example: "His actions during the meeting clearly demonstrate a lack of judgment, leading to significant misunderstandings among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

According to people familiar with those conversations, the three men discussed the nature of the charges against Ms. Lam: were her decisions merely an oversight, or did they demonstrate a lack of judgment?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Representative Joseph Crowley of New York, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said the episode demonstrated a lack of judgment in the administration.

The New York Times

Shorten released a statement early on Thursday confirming that Dastyari would step down from his Senate roles, which include a deputy whip and committee positions, because he had demonstrated a lack of judgment.

The Guardian

"I believe it demonstrates a lack of judgment and a complete misunderstanding of history to think that America can simply walk away from security challenges on the European Continent, which is, after all, a core American interest in the world," Mr. Gore said of the Bush campaign proposal.

The New York Times

But she's been demonstrating a lack of judgment recently in that respect.

Huffington Post

Just yesterday, another member of Chicago's "Inspector General Brigade" decided to grab fifteen minutes of fame by suggesting that the mayor's men used their Board of Ed credit cards for "extravagant" purchases that demonstrated "a lack of judgment and fiscal responsibility".

Huffington Post

To succeed with a summary judgment motion of invalidity, for example, the movant must demonstrate a lack of genuine dispute about material facts and show that the facts not in dispute are clear and convincing in demonstrating invalidity.

Harvard University

By "unceremoniously reversing its judgment," Van Arsdall, 475 U. S., at 701 (Stevens, J., dissenting), we also demonstrate a lack of respect for the Pennsylvania court and the sophistication of its state search and seizure law.

Cornell University

"Anger, disrespect, arrogance – these all demonstrate a lack of both character and impulse-control," Monnin added.

The Guardian

Both demonstrate a lack of self-awareness.

Huffington Post

This incident doesn't demonstrate a lack of good parenting.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "demonstrate a lack of judgment", ensure the context clearly explains how the lack of judgment was demonstrated. Providing specific examples will strengthen your statement and make it more persuasive.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overusing "demonstrate a lack of judgment" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger verbs and more precise nouns to convey the same meaning with greater impact. For instance, use "exhibit poor discretion" or "reveal flawed decision-making".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate a lack of judgment" functions as a verb phrase used to attribute a negative quality (poor judgment) to a subject based on observed actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. The phrase acts as a critical assessment, often implying negative consequences stemming from poor choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "demonstrate a lack of judgment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe poor decision-making or imprudent behavior. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia sources. While versatile, using more precise language may be beneficial in certain professional and academic settings. Alternatives include "exhibit poor judgment" or "display flawed decision-making". When using the phrase, providing specific examples strengthens the impact of the criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit poor judgment

Replaces "lack" with "poor", slightly altering the emphasis.

show a deficiency in judgment

Substitutes "demonstrate" with "show" and "lack" with "deficiency", resulting in a more formal tone.

display flawed decision-making

Focuses on the decision-making aspect rather than general judgment.

reveal imprudence

Uses a more concise and formal term for a lack of careful consideration.

act unwisely

Shifts the focus to the action and its wisdom.

exercise poor discretion

Emphasizes the failure to use good sense and caution.

make an ill-advised choice

Specifically refers to a single poor choice.

behave irresponsibly

Highlights the lack of responsibility in the actions.

commit a blunder

Implies a significant and embarrassing error.

err in judgment

A concise way to express a mistake in one's assessment or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "demonstrate a lack of judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "demonstrate a lack of judgment" to describe actions or decisions that show poor or unwise decision-making. For example: "His constant tardiness and missed deadlines "demonstrate a lack of judgment" and commitment to his work."

What are some alternatives to "demonstrate a lack of judgment"?

Some alternatives to "demonstrate a lack of judgment" include "exhibit poor judgment", "display flawed decision-making", or "reveal imprudence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "demonstrate a lack of judgment" or "show a lack of judgment"?

Both "demonstrate a lack of judgment" and "show a lack of judgment" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Demonstrate" is slightly more formal than "show" and may be preferable in professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean when someone's actions "demonstrate a lack of judgment"?

When someone's actions "demonstrate a lack of judgment", it means their choices or behaviors indicate poor decision-making skills, a failure to consider consequences, or a general lack of wisdom or prudence.