give discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use "give discretion" in written English.
It typically means to give someone the freedom to make decisions as they consider fit or appropriate for a given situation. For example: "My manager gave me discretion to make decisions about how to handle customer complaints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Those on a whole-life term can be freed only by the justice secretary, who can give discretion on compassionate grounds when the prisoner is terminally ill or seriously incapacitated.

The Guardian

Pepper: This happens when you give discretion to the bank.

Forbes

Organisers pointed to the regulations which give discretion to impose penalties, warnings or fines and that riders "who ride dangerously shall be liable to disqualification".

BBC

Garcetti also wants to examine and rewrite existing codes and ordinances to give discretion on issues such as parking and grease interceptors according to the type, size and location of a restaurant.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These groups are given discretion over most of the tickets, meaning that the audiences are usually a politically charged bunch.

The New York Times

Alternatives to incarceration: Under Governor Paterson, reform of the Rockefeller drug laws gives discretion back to the judges.

The New York Times

They also note that the bill gives discretion to the Treasury Department to approve plans that otherwise do not pass muster.

The New York Times

Conservative MPs have joined the protests against the criminal courts charge as Michael Gove hinted that judges and magistrates could be given discretion over whether to waive the penalty.

Independent

But he committed his "crime" last February, when the previous code, which gave discretion to the government over bringing charges, was still in force.

The Economist

Other states have a tougher "may issue" law, which gives discretion to withhold a permit to an authority like the local sheriff or department of public safety.

The New York Times

Finally, principals will apparently be given discretion to hire who they want, and they will be held accountable for the performance of their schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give discretion", ensure the context clearly defines the scope and limits of the granted authority to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "give discretion" without specifying the boundaries of the authority granted, as this can lead to misinterpretations and unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give discretion" functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of granting someone the power or right to make decisions within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give discretion" is a grammatically sound expression denoting the act of granting decision-making authority to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally used correctly. While relatively rare, its usage spans across various authoritative sources, including news media and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: explicitly define the scope of the granted authority to prevent ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "delegate authority" or "provide leeway" to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant autonomy

Focuses on providing independence in decision-making.

delegate authority

Specifically emphasizes the transfer of power to make decisions.

bestow freedom of choice

Highlights the liberty to choose among different options.

afford latitude

Emphasizes providing a range of acceptable actions.

empower decision-making

Focuses on enabling someone to make choices.

allow flexibility

Highlights the permission to adapt to changing circumstances.

provide leeway

Indicates granting extra room or margin for maneuver.

confer the power to decide

Specifically refers to transferring the right to make final decisions.

permit independence

Highlights the allowance of acting without direct control.

authorize autonomy

Formally allows self-governance in specified matters.

FAQs

How can I use "give discretion" in a sentence?

You can use "give discretion" to indicate granting someone the authority to make decisions. For example, "The manager decided to "grant autonomy" to the team, giving them discretion over project timelines".

What are some alternatives to "give discretion"?

Alternatives include "delegate authority", "provide leeway", or "allow flexibility", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "give discretion" or "provide guidelines"?

Whether to "give discretion" or "provide guidelines" depends on the situation. "Give discretion" implies trust and flexibility, while "provide guidelines" offers structure and control. A balance of both might be ideal.

What does it mean to "give someone broad discretion"?

To "give someone broad discretion" means to grant them significant freedom and authority in making decisions, often with minimal oversight or specific instructions.