exercising poor judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercising poor judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing decisions or actions that are considered unwise or lacking in good sense. Example: "The CEO was criticized for exercising poor judgment in the hiring process, which led to several issues within the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He compounded them by making bad choices, exercising poor judgment and listening to the wrong people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Justice Merchan said he was "not pleased" with Ms. Gristina's conduct during the case, including exercising "poor judgment" in bringing her young son to the courtroom.

The New York Times

Although cleared by the Senate in 1991 of illegalities in his dealings on Keating's behalf, McCain was mildly rebuked for exercising "poor judgment".

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the interview with Mr. Beck, Mr. Massa acknowledged exercising poor judgment in his interactions with his staff on another occasion.

The New York Times

"The first manifestation of this cognitive decline may be exercising poor judgment and decision making in many important real-life matters," the study said.

The New York Times - Health

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has repeatedly said that the small number of guns found by police officers during stop-and-frisk encounters shows that the program is working as a deterrent, and not that the police are exercising poor judgment in deciding whom to stop, as critics have argued.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They exercised poor judgment, which is a bad example for the kids.

The New York Times

In a statement, Fox apologized to those viewers who were offended and conceded that Lyons had "exercised poor judgment".

The New York Times - Sports

"I would not assume they are troubled kids, but they have exercised poor judgment," Dr. Graae said.

The New York Times

"What he said was obviously stupid and tasteless, and he exercised poor judgment," Mr. Axelrod told The Washington Post.

The New York Times

The N.F.L. released a statement saying Ireland had "exercised poor judgment in asking an insensitive and inappropriate question".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "exercising poor judgment" with explanations or examples of the consequences that followed the poor judgment, strengthening the analysis and impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "exercising poor judgment" in a way that obscures who is responsible for the poor judgment. Be direct about who made the mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercising poor judgment" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action (exercising) related to a quality (poor judgment). It suggests an active decision-making process that leads to unfavorable outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exercising poor judgment" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe making unwise decisions. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable and demonstrates through numerous examples, primarily from news and media sources. While "bad judgment" serves as a direct alternative, options like ""making questionable decisions"" or ""displaying flawed reasoning"" may offer nuanced substitutes depending on context. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is responsible and the consequences of their actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibiting bad judgment

A more direct and general way to express the same idea.

committing errors in judgment

Directly points to mistakes made in the evaluation or decision-making process.

demonstrating poor decision-making skills

Highlights a deficiency in the ability to make sound choices.

making questionable decisions

Focuses on the decision-making process and implies doubt about the quality of the choices.

acting unwisely

Focuses on the imprudence or lack of wisdom in the actions taken.

making imprudent choices

Stresses the lack of foresight or caution in the selections made.

making injudicious decisions

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom and thoughtfulness in the decisions.

displaying flawed reasoning

Highlights the faulty logic behind the actions or decisions.

lacking sound judgment

Highlights the absence of reliable and sensible decision-making.

showing a lack of discernment

Emphasizes the absence of good judgment or insight.

FAQs

What does "exercising poor judgment" mean?

The phrase "exercising poor judgment" means making decisions or taking actions that are unwise, imprudent, or lacking in good sense. It suggests a failure to adequately consider the potential consequences of one's choices.

How can I use "exercising poor judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "exercising poor judgment" to describe someone's actions. For example, "The manager was criticized for "making questionable decisions" during the crisis, ultimately "displaying flawed reasoning" when facing time sensitive decisions."

What are some alternatives to "exercising poor judgment"?

Alternatives include ""making questionable decisions"", ""displaying flawed reasoning"", or "showing a lack of discernment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exercising bad judgment" or "exercising poor judgment"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "exercising poor judgment" is slightly more formal and common. "Exhibiting bad judgment" is a direct and general way to express the same idea.