my discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

"my discretion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone has the freedom to act or make decisions as they deem best or to indicate that someone will not reveal something. For example: "I will leave the details of our plan up to my discretion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Maybe it was my discretion.

The Guardian

Gene saw that "it was all at my discretion.

The New Yorker

In those circumstances it is appropriate that I exercise my discretion to refuse to make a defence costs order".

The Guardian

"The message being given to officers is 'I cannot use my discretion, because if I do my career is over'".

The Guardian

And because I want to keep that conversation going, it's important that I reward his disclosures — about himself and his friends — with my discretion.

The New York Times

"I made that decision based on the right that I have as a council member to hire or let any staff leave at my discretion".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

On Wednesday the 11th, I'll set up a poll on TechCrunch (using dpolls or one of the other services mentioned in the comments to my profile of dpolls) with what I consider, in my sole discretion, to be the 5-7 most interesting and serious applications.

TechCrunch

"In my opinion, discretion is an important part of an escort's service...Discretion is part of why customers pay us and, having accepted that payment, we should honour that promise.

Independent

She also noted she was not involved in the "inner workings" of Joshua's Place and did not check with her Dominican superiors, saying she accepted an offer "at my own discretion".

The New York Times

I am, for all intents and purposes, the managing partner, and all the investments are at my "sole discretion," meaning that I'm the gateway.

TechCrunch

"I only had access to the internet for an hour or so a day, at my parents' discretion," says Claire.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "my discretion" with verbs like 'exercise', 'use', or 'apply' to clearly indicate the act of making a judgment or decision. For example, 'I will exercise my discretion in this matter.'

Common error

Avoid using "my discretion" in contexts where you lack the actual authority or expertise to make a decision. Ensure you have the legitimate right to exercise independent judgment in the given situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my discretion" functions as a noun phrase indicating the speaker's ability to make judgments and decisions based on their own authority and assessment. It often implies autonomy and a degree of freedom in taking action, as exemplified in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my discretion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a decision or action is based on one's personal judgment and authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, though it's most common in news media and formal business settings. When using "my discretion", ensure you have the legitimate authority to exercise independent judgment, and be mindful of the context to avoid overstating your position. Alternatives like "at my own judgment" or "as I see fit" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at my own judgment

Emphasizes personal assessment as the basis for decisions, highlighting individual evaluation.

as I see fit

Highlights the freedom to act according to one's own perception and standards.

according to my assessment

Focuses on the evaluation process that informs the decision-making, emphasizing personal analysis.

at my pleasure

Indicates that the action is carried out based on personal preference and willingness.

on my own authority

Highlights acting independently and based on one's own power or right to decide.

within my purview

Specifies that the action or decision falls within the scope of one's responsibility or authority.

under my jurisdiction

Indicates that the action is controlled or influenced by one's legal or administrative power.

by my own volition

Emphasizes that the action is done willingly and without external pressure or coercion.

as I deem appropriate

Focuses on the suitability and relevance of actions based on personal criteria and judgment.

subject to my consideration

Highlights that the decision is based on careful and thoughtful personal evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "my discretion" to indicate that you are making a decision based on your own judgment. For example, "I will use "my discretion" to determine the best course of action" or "The details are left to "my discretion"".

What is a good alternative to "my discretion"?

Alternatives include "my judgment", "my own authority", or "as I see fit". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "my discretion" in formal writing?

Yes, "my discretion" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express that a decision is based on your personal assessment and authority. However, ensure the context warrants the explicit assertion of your judgment.

What is the difference between "my discretion" and "my responsibility"?

"My discretion" implies the freedom to make choices based on personal judgment, while "my responsibility" indicates a duty to carry out specific tasks or obligations. You might use "my discretion" to fulfill "my responsibility".