has full discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

"has full discretion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a person or group that has the freedom to make decisions that aren't restricted by policy or law. For example, "The judge at the trial has full discretion in determining the sentence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Griffin has full discretion over how much money he uses to subsidize his struggling funds.

The New York Times

"Beyond that, the school district has full discretion as to how those programs will be modified," said Mr. Pastore, the federal monitor.

The New York Times

However, firm management has full discretion in releasing IC information due to the lack of minimum requirements.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

The agent has full discretion whether to go beyond what is required and makes a personal choice to do so.

SEP

Step 6: The fund manager has full discretion in investment decisions, although it will predominately follow a long-term buy-and-hold strategy.

Forbes

Although the King of Arms has full discretion over the composition of the arms, he will take into full account the wishes of the applicant.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The companies would have full discretion to set prices on their over-the-counter drugs, just as they set prices on prescription drugs.

The New York Times

Delany said that he never intended to have full discretion to take such action and that it was only intended for emergency situations when the administration of a university was too compromised to take action.

The New York Times

Its decision, it said, was rooted in the specific facts of the Madoff case, in which Mr. Madoff had full discretion over his customers' accounts and never made any investments with the cash he collected from them.

The New York Times

UKFI said that, under this trading plan being run by Morgan Stanley, the investment bankers would have "full discretion to effect a measured and orderly sell down of shares in the company" on behalf of the Treasury.

The Guardian - Business

Gangi noted that, although NYPD officers previously had full discretion to make arrests for these low-level violations, police generally only arrest people for these crimes when they have outstanding warrants, such as for a previous summons that hasn't been addressed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has full discretion", ensure the context clearly defines the scope and limits of this discretion to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "has full discretion" implies absolute power; it usually operates within certain implicit or explicit boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has full discretion" functions as a predicate describing the extent of someone's authority or decision-making power. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates the freedom to make decisions without external constraints.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has full discretion" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that someone possesses the authority to make decisions independently. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's important to define the scope of the discretion to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "possesses complete autonomy" or "retains absolute authority" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possesses complete autonomy

Emphasizes independence and self-governance, suggesting freedom from external control.

retains absolute authority

Highlights the power and right to command or make final decisions.

exercises unrestricted power

Focuses on the ability to act without limitations or constraints.

holds complete jurisdiction

Indicates having the legal right and power to apply the law within a specific area or domain.

is fully empowered

Suggests being given the necessary authority or power to do something.

enjoys unlimited freedom

Highlights the liberty to act or decide without restrictions.

operates with total latitude

Emphasizes a wide range of freedom and flexibility in making choices.

commands ultimate control

Focuses on having the highest level of influence and direction over something.

wields unrestricted influence

Highlights the capacity to affect character, development, or behavior of someone or something without constraints.

is at liberty to decide

Indicates the freedom and permission to make choices or judgments.

FAQs

How can I use "has full discretion" in a sentence?

You can use "has full discretion" to indicate that someone has the authority to make decisions without needing approval from others. For example, "The project manager "has full discretion" over the project budget".

What are some alternatives to "has full discretion"?

Some alternatives to "has full discretion" include "possesses complete autonomy", "retains absolute authority", or "exercises unrestricted power" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have full discretion" instead of "has full discretion"?

Yes, both are correct depending on the subject. Use "has full discretion" with singular subjects (e.g., "the manager"), and "have full discretion" with plural subjects (e.g., "the board members") or the pronoun "you".

What is the difference between "has full discretion" and "has wide discretion"?

"Has full discretion" implies complete freedom within a given context, whereas "has wide discretion" suggests a significant but potentially limited degree of freedom. The distinction lies in the extent of the decision-making power.