impaired judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impaired judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where someone's ability to make sound decisions is compromised, often due to factors like intoxication or mental health issues. Example: "After consuming alcohol, he exhibited impaired judgment, leading to poor decisions throughout the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Results: unreturned phone calls, exhaustion, impaired judgment.

The New Yorker

Doctors concluded that she was delusional and had impaired judgment.

The New York Times

The result: impaired judgment, and high-risk behaviors.

Harvard Business Review

Because the colonel, like any levelheaded adult, knew that alcohol impaired judgment and self-control.

The New York Times

causes neurological decay and is linked to memory loss, personality changes, impaired judgment, depression and dementia.

The New York Times

I completed a perfunctory history and physical, gave the orders for medication, and wrote up my summary: mania characterized by delusions of grandiosity, impaired judgment, sleeplessness, irritability.

The New York Times - Health

Several global studies have pointed to a link between head injuries and changes in brain structure, leading to aggression, impaired judgment, impulsiveness and reduced empathy.

The Times

Researchers at Boston University confirmed Monday that he had the disease, which is linked to the type of memory loss, impaired judgment and depression of which Duerson complained.

The New York Times - Sports

In Texas, a prominent prosecutor resigned in 2008 after a scandal for which he blamed impaired judgment because of prescription drugs.

The New York Times

Giving evidence, the forensic toxicologist Julie Evans said long-term use of certain steroids could change the way the brain deals with moods, with common side-effects being paranoid jealousy, irritability, delusions and impaired judgment.

The Guardian - Sport

Many highly successful leaders have made devastating mistakes because they were too caught up in their own their success, and they end up suffering from bad decisions executed with impaired judgment.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the consequences of substance use or medical conditions, use "impaired judgment" to accurately describe the cognitive impact.

Common error

Avoid implying that "impaired judgment" is always a permanent condition. It often results from temporary factors like fatigue or medication and can be reversible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impaired judgment" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "impaired" modifies the noun "judgment". It describes a state where someone's ability to make rational decisions is diminished. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impaired judgment" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of diminished decision-making ability. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic discussions. The most common causes are related to alcohol/drug use, mental conditions or brain injuries. While generally neutral to formal, the specific context determines the level of formality. Alternative phrases, such as "compromised judgment" or "poor decision-making", can be used to add nuance. When using the phrase, avoid overstating the permanence of the impairment and consider that it can be reversible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compromised judgment

Emphasizes the weakening or undermining of judgment quality.

diminished judgment

Highlights a reduction in the quality or effectiveness of judgment.

flawed judgment

Suggests the presence of errors or defects in the decision-making process.

poor decision-making

Focuses on the outcome of impaired judgment, resulting in bad choices.

defective reasoning

Points to a fault or malfunction in the logical thought process.

erroneous assessment

Highlights mistakes in evaluating situations or information.

unsound reasoning

Indicates that the reasoning process is not reliable or well-founded.

clouded judgment

Implies that judgment is obscured or made unclear by external factors.

faulty assessment

Emphasizes the presence of flaws in the evaluation process.

skewed perspective

Suggests a bias or distortion in one's viewpoint, affecting judgment.

FAQs

How does alcohol cause "impaired judgment"?

Alcohol affects the brain's prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control. This leads to "impaired judgment" and reduced self-control.

What are some synonyms for "impaired judgment"?

Alternatives include "compromised judgment", "flawed judgment", or "poor decision-making", depending on the specific context.

What mental conditions can cause "impaired judgment"?

Several conditions can lead to "impaired judgment", including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, and traumatic brain injuries.

Is "impaired judgment" always a sign of a serious medical condition?

Not necessarily. While it can be associated with medical or psychiatric issues, "impaired judgment" can also result from temporary factors like stress, sleep deprivation, or medication side effects.