discretion on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discretion on which" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used when discussing the basis or grounds for making a decision that involves personal judgment or choice. Example: "The committee exercised discretion on which candidates to interview based on their qualifications."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The bad-loan plan, developed by an 11-member task force of experts named by Mr. Takenaka when his responsibilities were expanded to include financial regulation early this month, would tighten the rules governing how banks count their capital and take away much of their discretion on which loans to classify as nonperforming.

The New York Times

While all branches of the Armed Services have broad guidelines -- the Navy requires children to be at least 8 and forbids couples to bunk together on overnight cruises -- the rules have been left intentionally vague, giving local commanders wide discretion on which civilians can participate, when and how often.

The New York Times

EPA toxics chief James Jones, speaking at the hearing, also warned that the bill would unwisely limit EPA's discretion on which scientific procedures it can use in its reviews, which could prompt litigation if the agency were to deviate from them.

Science Magazine

The initial prescribing indicator in surgical prophylaxis was less successful in providing consistent national data as there was local discretion on which procedures to include.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yahoo! also has sole discretion to decide on which pages to display ads provided by Google through its AFC Services.

TechCrunch

The appellants argued that the discretion was objective, and thus a court of law could review the grounds on which the discretion had been exercised.

Wikipedia

He calls this separation "discretion," a discretion that foreshadows "the final discretion," which is death.

The New Yorker

This judgement, the committee said, had effectively overturned the Border Agency's previous emphasis on "voluntary discretion" - which had meant it should be seen an option for claimants to conceal their sexuality in order to avoid abuse.

BBC

Job autonomy (7 items) refers to decision-making latitudes and action latitudes at work (e.g. ' My work allows for making decisions on which tasks I have to perform', 'My work offers discretion on how to do my work').

BMC Medical Education

In April, a parent alerted Mr. Orsini about Formspring, a site on which comments can be sent anonymously to mailboxes, and posted at the mailbox owner's discretion.

The New York Times - Style

"We have a tolerance for detention without trial, without access to the courts, with a very high reliance on ministerial discretion which is neither compellable nor reviewable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discretion on which", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to the basis or grounds for making a judgment or choice. Consider using alternatives like "discretion regarding which" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "discretion on which" implies absolute freedom. Discretion usually operates within certain boundaries or guidelines. Clearly define these limits to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discretion on which" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the freedom or authority to make decisions based on one's own judgment about a specific thing. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable, though perhaps not the most elegant choice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discretion on which" is used to indicate the authority to make judgments based on specific factors. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that it may not always be the most common or clearest phrasing. Alternative phrases like "discretion regarding which" or "judgment on which" often offer improved clarity and fluency. Predominantly found in news media and scientific contexts, its register is generally neutral. When using "discretion on which", clarity is key: ensure the context makes it evident that you are referring to the basis for a decision. Though not incorrect, consider that other options might enhance the overall readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discretion regarding which

Replaces "on" with "regarding", offering a slightly more common and smoother phrasing.

discretion about which

A more direct substitution, replacing "on" with "about".

discretion as to which

Uses "as to" instead of "on", providing a more formal alternative.

judgment on which

Substitutes "discretion" with "judgment", focusing on the act of forming an opinion.

leeway regarding which

Employs "leeway" to indicate the amount of freedom to make decisions.

latitude concerning which

Replaces "discretion" with "latitude", highlighting the scope of allowed actions.

authority over which

Focuses on the power or right to give orders or make decisions.

prerogative about which

Highlights the exclusive right or privilege to choose.

flexibility regarding which

Emphasizes the adaptability in making decisions.

choice as to which

Focuses on the act of selecting between options.

FAQs

What does "discretion on which" mean?

The phrase "discretion on which" refers to the freedom or authority to make decisions based on one's judgment regarding a specific matter. However, it's often clearer to use alternatives like "discretion regarding which" or "judgment on which".

How can I use "discretion on which" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone has the power to decide based on their own assessment. For instance, "The manager has "discretion on which" employees to promote based on performance reviews."

Are there better alternatives to "discretion on which"?

Yes, "discretion regarding which" or "judgment on which" are often clearer and more common. These options provide a smoother and more readily understood phrasing.

Is "discretion on which" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "discretion on which" can sound awkward to some. Using prepositions like "regarding" or "about" often improves the flow and clarity of the sentence, making it more easily understood.