exercise his discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'exercise his discretion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is making a decision based on their own personal judgement. For example: "The judge had to exercise his discretion when deciding the sentence for the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He chose not to exercise his discretion.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The minister could exercise his discretion to grant a visa.

The Guardian

"It creates a difficulty for the attorney general to exercise his discretion, and creates a prejudgment in public opinion".

The New York Times

In July Lord Lloyd of Berwick tabled an amendment to the criminal justice bill asking Grayling to exercise his discretion.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the back of Stanton's letter Lincoln scribbled his approval: "The Secretary of War has my authority to exercise his discretion in the matter within mentioned".

The New York Times

And it Zydok is rearrested under a new warrant, the Attorney General will have a fresh opportunity to exercise his discretion in setting bail.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In these cases the Attorney General has not exercised his discretion by applying the standards required of him.

Cornell University

Crucially, Walker became the second player stood down under the NRL's behavioural police, with chief executive Todd Greenberg exercising his discretion to sideline the Manly centre.

The Guardian - Sport

"As the person who exercised his discretion to bring a reduction period into place I'd better be comfortable with it," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1952 I assumed he was of necessity exercising his discretion, but as Methuen-Campbell makes clear, often catheterised and racked by his physical inabilities Welch was very much an onlooker and non-participant.

The Guardian - Books

If, exercising his discretion, he had instituted either proceeding, the defendant therein would have been fully heard, and could have adequately and effectively presented every ground of objection sought to be presented now.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or official decisions, use "exercise his discretion" to emphasize the personal judgment involved within the bounds of authority.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise his discretion" when referring to actions that are strictly mandated by rules or laws. The phrase implies personal judgment within a permitted range of choices, not simply following orders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise his discretion" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of utilizing one's judgment and authority in decision-making. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It's often associated with legal, official, or managerial contexts, implying a careful evaluation of circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise his discretion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies using one's judgment and authority in making a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, denoting a deliberate choice within the scope of one's power or responsibility. While the phrase is most suitable for neutral to formal registers, it's crucial to use it when personal judgment, not strict rule-following, is involved. Remember that misunderstanding its scope and using it improperly may change the intended meaning. Alternatives like "use his judgment" or "employ his authority" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

use his judgment

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of making a considered decision.

employ his authority

Highlights the official power used in making a decision.

apply his prudence

Stresses the careful and wise nature of the decision-making process.

invoke his prerogative

Focuses on a special right or privilege being used.

leverage his power

Implies using influence or control to make a decision.

utilize his options

Suggests considering various choices before deciding.

execute his responsibility

Highlights fulfilling a duty by making a decision.

assert his influence

Focuses on confidently using his power to decide.

wield his command

Implies a forceful and direct application of authority.

enact his decision

Emphasizes the formal implementation of the decision.

FAQs

What does it mean to "exercise discretion"?

To "exercise discretion" means to use one's own judgment and decision-making authority in a particular situation, especially when the rules are not clearly defined.

When is it appropriate to say someone "exercised discretion"?

It is appropriate when someone has used their judgment in a situation where they have the authority to make choices. This is commonly seen in legal contexts, where a judge might "use his judgment" in sentencing.

What's the difference between "exercise his discretion" and "abuse his power"?

"Exercise his discretion" implies using judgment within established rules, while "abuse his power" suggests using authority improperly or unfairly, exceeding the permitted bounds.

Are there synonyms for "exercise his discretion"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "use his judgment", "employ his authority" or "apply his prudence".