prudent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prudent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is good at making wise decisions. For example: After much consideration, she made a prudent decision to invest her money in stocks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The SDLP described Poots's latest claims as "confusing personal prejudice with prudent policy".

The Guardian

There will have to be changes in player personnel in the summer, young players will have to be given their opportunities at the right time, and prudent recruitment implemented for what will be a really tough division to get out of.

The Guardian - Sport

There are certain polite terms that even the most well intentioned, prudent pro-choice people use when they talk about abortion.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had "prudent levels of cash reserves" of £238m, a freehold building worth £73m, programme rights in excess of £224m, and a strong brand, Film 4. Shares are held by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Guardian

Why are you taxing people who are prudent?" He's waving his finger at me as if I'm the tax collector.

The Guardian - Sport

Asked specifically whether the government remained committed to the "target range" of 5% to 25%, a spokeswoman for foreign minister Julie Bishop did not mention the range or the conditions, saying only, "Australia is committed to a 5% reduction in emissions and would like to reduce emissions further but will pursue direct action consistent with prudent fiscal policy to bring this about".

The Guardian

But contrasting the money wasted over the years with the more prudent acquisitions provides a lesson and Smith's best hope: the price ticket isn't always the best guide to quality, even if it is fun to be flash in front of the neighbours.

The Guardian - Sport

Clearly his lack of runs and general confidence is impacting on his keeping, and for the remaining two Tests it would be prudent to bring in Bairstow.

The Guardian - Sport

Boris calls himself an "anarcho-Tory", and in playing the prudent steward, the creative entrepreneur and the boisterous showman all at once, makes good his claim.

The Guardian

Cameco Australia's managing director, Brian Reilly, said the company was taking prudent steps to prepare its Australian projects for a development decision, once market conditions were suitable.

The Guardian

A lot of those people will have taken out perfectly prudent home loans in 2005, 2006 or 2007 – it's just that their properties have halved in value from their pre-Northern Rock peak.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prudent", ensure the context clearly indicates the area of life or decision to which the careful judgment applies. For example, "a prudent investment strategy" or "prudent financial planning".

Common error

Avoid equating "prudent" actions with a complete lack of risk-taking. Prudence involves calculated risks, not necessarily avoiding all risks. For instance, a "prudent" business might still invest in innovative projects after careful evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "prudent" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to describe a quality of carefulness, wisdom, and good judgment. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, backed by numerous examples where "prudent" qualifies nouns like 'policy', 'recruitment', and 'levels'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prudent" is a versatile adjective used to describe actions, decisions, or individuals demonstrating careful and wise judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and finance. To use it effectively, remember that prudence involves calculated risks, not complete inaction. Consider employing synonyms like "wise", "cautious", or "judicious" to add nuance to your writing and maintain clarity. By understanding its connotations and avoiding common pitfalls, you can leverage "prudent" to enhance your communication and portray a sense of thoughtful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wise

Emphasizes possessing knowledge and good judgment.

cautious

Highlights being careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

discreet

Suggests being careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention.

judicious

Implies making decisions with sound judgment and fairness.

circumspect

Indicates being wary and unwilling to take risks.

sagacious

Highlights having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.

provident

Suggests preparing for the future; frugal.

frugal

Emphasizes being economical with resources.

economical

Highlights efficient use of resources.

sensible

Implies being practical and realistic.

FAQs

How can I use "prudent" in a sentence?

You can use "prudent" to describe actions or decisions that show care and good judgment, such as "a "prudent investment"" or "a "prudent approach" to problem-solving".

What's the difference between "prudent" and "cautious"?

"Prudent" implies wisdom and careful planning, while "cautious" simply means being careful to avoid danger. A "prudent" decision considers long-term consequences, whereas a "cautious" approach focuses on immediate safety.

What are some synonyms for "prudent"?

Alternatives to "prudent" include "wise", "judicious", "discreet", and "circumspect", each with slightly different connotations.

When is it not appropriate to use the word "prudent"?

Avoid using "prudent" in situations where boldness or risk-taking is required. For example, describing a revolutionary act as "prudent" would be inappropriate because it implies a lack of daring.