poor judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a lack of good judgment or decision-making. For example: "Although I agreed with the plan at first, I now regret my poor judgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Profoundly poor judgment?

The New Yorker

"It was poor judgment.

The New Yorker

What poor judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

Some enthusiasts show poor judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's just poor judgment in restarting the race, poor judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

"And, as always, very poor judgment".

The New Yorker

For example: Some enthusiasts show poor judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Clearly he had poor judgment.

The New York Times

"That's not just poor judgment," he said.

The New York Times

His new policy involves poor judgment.

The Guardian

It was a poor judgment call.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's actions, use "poor judgment" to highlight a flaw in their decision-making process rather than attacking their character directly. This approach fosters constructive dialogue.

Common error

In highly formal or professional writing, consider stronger, more specific alternatives like "miscalculation" or "lack of foresight" to provide a clearer and more impactful critique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor judgment" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "judgment". It describes a deficiency or lack of quality in the ability to make sound decisions. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor judgment" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a lack of good decision-making skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, but is particularly frequent in news and media. While "poor judgment" is generally neutral, consider using more specific alternatives in formal settings for clarity. When criticizing or evaluating decisions, use "poor judgment" to highlight flaws in the decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

error in judgment

A more formal and neutral way of expressing a mistake in decision-making.

lapse in judgment

Suggests a temporary failure to exercise good judgment, implying it's not typical behavior.

bad decision-making

Emphasizes the flawed process leading to a negative outcome, focusing on the decision itself.

unwise decision

Directly describes the decision as not being smart or well-considered.

lack of foresight

Highlights the absence of planning and anticipation of future consequences.

shortsightedness

Focuses on a lack of long-term perspective, prioritizing immediate benefits over future consequences.

imprudence

Suggests a lack of caution and discretion, often implying risk-taking.

foolishness

Indicates a lack of wisdom and common sense, often implying silliness.

indiscretion

Refers to a lack of tact and sensitivity, often in social situations.

miscalculation

Focuses on errors in assessment and planning, often in quantitative contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor judgment" to describe a situation where someone made a bad decision. For example: "The company's failure was due to "poor judgment" on the part of the CEO."

What can I say instead of "poor judgment"?

You can use alternatives like "bad decision-making", "lack of foresight", or "error in judgment" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "poor judgment" or "bad judgment"?

Both "poor judgment" and "bad judgment" are acceptable and often interchangeable. "Poor" might suggest a slightly milder criticism than "bad."

What are some examples of situations that demonstrate "poor judgment"?

Examples of situations exhibiting "poor judgment" could include making impulsive financial decisions, neglecting safety precautions, or failing to consider the consequences of one's actions.