lack of judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone fails to make a wise or sensible decision. Example: "His lack of judgment in that situation led to serious consequences for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That decision showed appalling lack of judgment.

The New Yorker

It was my lack of judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

The gaffe underlined his inexperience and lack of judgment.

The Guardian

I thought it was his lack of judgment, faulty judgment.

The New York Times - Magazine

The real story, however, is Mr. McCain's lack of judgment.

The New York Times

We are laughing at a lack of judgment and ignorance.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Niveen began berating herself for her lack of judgment.

The New Yorker

"The biggest constant among those Randy hired was a lack of judgment," Livingston concluded.

The Guardian - Sport

President Clinton's pardons on his last day in office showed an indefensible lack of judgment.

The New York Times

It would simply confirm their lack of judgment in so many ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm talking about the times that you have to make a judgment call (or in my case, a lack-of-judgment call).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's actions, specify the area where the "lack of judgment" occurred to provide constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of judgment" as a blanket statement. Instead, pinpoint the specific decision or situation where the error occurred to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of judgment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the absence or deficiency of the ability to make sound decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of judgment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that indicates a deficiency in the ability to make sound decisions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media where it serves to critique or assess decisions made by individuals or organizations. While it maintains a neutral register, it's important to use the phrase precisely, specifying the area where the judgment was lacking rather than using it as a general criticism. Alternatives such as "poor decision-making" or "faulty assessment" can be used to add nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor decision-making

Focuses on the quality of the decisions made, rather than the ability to make them.

faulty assessment

Highlights the incorrect evaluation of a situation or person.

deficiency in discernment

Emphasizes a reduced ability to distinguish or perceive subtle differences.

want of prudence

Indicates a failure to exercise caution or good sense.

error in evaluation

Highlights a mistake made during the process of assessing something.

lapse in reasoning

Focuses on a temporary failure in the logical thought process.

absence of foresight

Emphasizes the inability to anticipate future consequences.

misguided approach

Indicates that the method used was inappropriate or ill-advised.

unwise course of action

Highlights the imprudence of the chosen actions.

imprudent behavior

Focuses on actions that are not sensible or careful.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of judgment" to describe a situation where someone made a poor decision or showed a failure to think carefully about the consequences of their actions. For example, "His "lack of judgment" led to serious repercussions."

What are some alternatives to saying "lack of judgment"?

Alternatives include "poor decision-making", "faulty assessment", or "deficiency in discernment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of judgment" or "poor judgment"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "poor judgment" might sound slightly more natural in some contexts. "Lack of judgment" emphasizes the absence of good decision-making skills, while "poor judgment" focuses on the quality of a specific decision.

What does it mean when someone is accused of showing a "lack of judgment"?

It typically means they are being criticized for making a decision that was considered unwise, irresponsible, or poorly thought out. It suggests a failure to consider the potential negative consequences.