making a judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of forming an opinion or decision about something based on available information or evidence. Example: "After careful consideration of the evidence presented, the jury is now making a judgment on the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I'm not making a judgment.

The New York Times

"I'm not making a judgment here.

The Washington Post

"I'm not making a judgment," Professor Brinkley said.

The New York Times

I'm not making a judgment about everything else.

The New York Times

She looks me up and down, making a judgment.

The New York Times - Magazine

People assume that when I'm profiling, I'm making a judgment," he added.

The New York Times

"I invited them in to see the works before making a judgment, but they declined.

The New York Times

I write that without making a judgment about the larger questions surrounding the Affordable Care Act.

The New York Times

To me, that is not the whole basis of making a judgment.

The New Yorker

"I have no way of making a judgment as to how significant it is...

The Washington Post

But they challenge their critics to spend time with debarked dogs before making a judgment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making a judgment" when you want to emphasize the process of forming an opinion or reaching a decision based on careful consideration. It suggests a thoughtful and deliberate approach.

Common error

Avoid using "making a judgment" when you are simply expressing a snap opinion or a knee-jerk reaction. This phrase implies careful thought, so ensure your context reflects that deliberate consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a judgment" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in expressing the process of forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion based on available information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making a judgment" is a common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the process of forming an opinion or reaching a decision through careful evaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and formal communication. While alternatives like "forming an opinion" or "reaching a conclusion" exist, "making a judgment" uniquely emphasizes the deliberate thought process involved. When writing, ensure the context aligns with this implication of thoughtfulness to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forming an opinion

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of creating a personal viewpoint, rather than the act of pronouncing a formal assessment.

reaching a conclusion

Implies arriving at a final decision or understanding after a period of consideration or investigation.

drawing a conclusion

Similar to "reaching a conclusion" but emphasizes the act of inferring or deducing something from available information.

passing judgment

More direct and often implies a critical or moral evaluation.

coming to a decision

Highlights the process of selecting a course of action after considering different options.

arriving at a verdict

Suggests a formal decision, often in a legal or official context.

assessing the situation

Focuses on evaluating the circumstances before making any decisions.

evaluating the evidence

Emphasizes the careful consideration of facts and information.

determining the outcome

Highlights the act of predicting or establishing the result of something.

taking a stance

Emphasizes the act of adopting a position or viewpoint, often publicly.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "making a judgment"?

You can use alternatives like "forming an opinion", "reaching a conclusion", or "assessing the situation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "making a judgment" in formal writing?

Yes, "making a judgment" is suitable for formal writing as it indicates a thoughtful and deliberate decision-making process. It is frequently used in news media and academic contexts.

How does "making a judgment" differ from "passing judgment"?

"Making a judgment" generally refers to a more neutral or objective assessment, while "passing judgment" often implies a critical or moral evaluation. Consider the context to choose the more appropriate phrase.

Can "making a judgment" be replaced with a single word?

While there isn't a single perfect replacement, you can sometimes use words like "assessing", "evaluating", or "deciding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. However, this may reduce the emphasis on the process of arriving at a well thought out determination.