poor judgement

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor judgement" is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean making a bad or ill-advised decision, such as "The company's takeover attempt was an exercise in poor judgement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's just her conscience has poor judgement.

The Guardian

Hundreds ridiculed the apology, accusing the website of "poor judgement".

Independent

Cable's position is untenable - Poor judgement, lack of integrity, fundamental breach of ministerial code.

The Guardian

Due to spectacularly poor judgement, I was not present at the birth of easyJet.

Independent

Garfield County Sheriff Jerry Niles told Enid News the prank was "very poor judgement".

Independent

Poor judgement from the Brazilian to let henman in - he leaves a Henman shot which falls just inside the baseline.

The Guardian - Sport

I was born with poor judgement, the way others are born color-blind or without a sense of rhythm.

The New York Times - Style

But I don't think it was malice on their part, I think it was just poor judgement".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Multiplication of Errors - through poor judgement/ overreaction - present an example.

Princeton University

"It was poor judgement and naivety on my part rather than words spoken with any malice.

BBC

No wonder that poor judgement that comes with intoxication is the stuff of comedies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's decision-making, use "poor judgement" to directly address the quality of their assessment. For instance, "The manager's decision to launch the product without market research demonstrated "poor judgement"."

Common error

While "poor judgement" is widely understood, in highly formal contexts (e.g., legal documents or academic papers), consider using more precise or technical language like "failure of due diligence" or "deficiency in risk assessment" to convey the same meaning with greater specificity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor judgement" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "judgement". It describes a deficiency or lack of quality in someone's ability to make sound decisions. This aligns with Ludwig AI's observation that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor judgement" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes flawed decision-making. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent use across diverse sources, especially in News & Media. While suitable for neutral contexts, more precise language may be preferable in highly formal settings. Alternatives such as "lack of foresight" or "questionable choices" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Using this phrase correctly is critical when evaluating decisions and actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lapse in judgment

Indicates a temporary failure to exercise sound judgment, suggesting an isolated incident rather than a consistent pattern.

bad decision-making

Emphasizes the flawed process of making a decision, rather than the quality of the judgement itself. It focuses more on the actions taken.

lack of foresight

Highlights the failure to anticipate the consequences of an action, stressing the predictive element of judgment.

questionable choices

Focuses on the dubiousness or uncertainty surrounding a decision, suggesting it is open to criticism or doubt.

dubious assessment

Highlights that the evaluation made wasn't correct

ill-advised action

Indicates that an action was unwise or imprudent, emphasizing the negative consequences.

imprudent behavior

Refers to actions lacking caution or good sense, highlighting the recklessness or carelessness involved.

misguided approach

Suggests that the method or strategy used was based on faulty assumptions or reasoning, focusing on the direction taken.

unwise course of action

Points out that the chosen path was not sensible or judicious, emphasizing the selection of a particular strategy.

error in reasoning

Pinpoints a flaw in the logical process, indicating that the conclusion was reached through faulty thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "poor judgement" in a sentence?

You can use "poor judgement" to describe a bad decision or action. For example, "Investing in that company was a display of "poor judgement"." or "His "poor judgement" led to serious consequences."

What are some alternatives to "poor judgement"?

Alternatives to "poor judgement" include "bad decision-making", "lack of foresight", or "questionable choices", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it "poor judgement" or "bad judgment"?

Both "poor judgement" and "bad judgment" are correct and commonly used. They are essentially interchangeable, although "poor judgement" might sound slightly more formal in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "poor judgement" and "negligence"?

"Poor judgement" generally refers to a bad decision, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, potentially leading to harm. Negligence carries a stronger connotation of responsibility and potential legal repercussions.