question the judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "question the judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of doubting or challenging someone's decision or opinion. Example: "In the meeting, I felt it was necessary to question the judgment of the committee regarding the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"We just question the judgment behind the decision to publish it".

The New York Times

Obviously, one could question the judgment behind creating a disco in that location.

The New York Times

One can absolutely question the judgment of the board of HBOS in appointing him to a banking role.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Rubio did not choose to respond or question the judgment of Mr. Vitter, whose phone number once appeared in a client list of a Washington madam.

The New York Times

Jurors are unpredictable, especially when it comes to claims of self-defense: they don't necessarily want to question the judgment of the person who was actually there.

The New Yorker

The idea behind poker is to defeat everyone else at the table, sending as many of them as possible home in so advanced a state of despair that they will question the judgment of their parents in conceiving them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

As a candidate he has been all over the map on the issue of public financing during the primaries giving him little standing to question the judgments of other candidates on this same issue.

Huffington Post

She never questions the judgment of her alpha-men and always gives them the last word.

The Economist

Gardner questioned the judgment of those of us who had faith in the play.

The Guardian

Several legal experts also questioned the judgment of the news organizations in identifying the juror while deliberations were proceeding.

The New York Times

Prosecutors questioned the judgment of the officers, with one arguing in the department's trial that Detective Isnora overreacted, leading to "contagious firing" from those who followed his cue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "question the judgment", ensure the context clearly indicates whose judgment is being questioned and the basis for the doubt. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone's judgment is being questioned without explaining why. Provide specific reasons or examples to support your claim and make your argument more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question the judgment" functions as a verb phrase, where "question" acts as the verb and "the judgment" serves as the object. It is used to express doubt, disagreement, or scrutiny regarding someone's decision-making abilities, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "question the judgment" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate doubt or disagreement with a decision. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "doubt the wisdom" or "challenge the decision" exist, "question the judgment" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse settings. It's essential to provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity and enhance persuasiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubt the wisdom

Emphasizes questioning the sagacity behind a decision, rather than just the decision itself.

challenge the decision

Implies a more direct and confrontational approach to questioning a judgment.

dispute the assessment

Suggests a formal disagreement with an evaluation or appraisal.

take issue with the ruling

Highlights disagreement with a formal decision or decree.

express skepticism about the rationale

Focuses on doubting the reasoning or justification behind a decision.

raise concerns regarding the evaluation

Indicates voicing worries or anxieties about an assessment process.

express reservations about the call

Conveys unease or doubt about a specific decision or action.

find fault with the reasoning

Highlights identifying errors or weaknesses in the logic used to make a decision.

criticize the determination

Involves openly disapproving of a firm decision or conclusion.

cast doubt on the analysis

Suggests introducing uncertainty or disbelief regarding an examination or study.

FAQs

How can I use "question the judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "question the judgment" to express doubt or disagreement with someone's decision, like: "Critics began to "question the judgment" of the company's chief executive after the acquisition."

What are some alternatives to "question the judgment"?

Alternatives include "doubt the wisdom", "challenge the decision", or "dispute the assessment" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "question the judgment" or "challenge the judgment"?

The choice depends on the context. "Question the judgment" implies a simple expression of doubt. "Challenge the judgment" suggests a more direct and potentially confrontational disagreement.

What's the difference between "questioning the judgment" and "making a judgment call"?

"Questioning the judgment" means expressing doubt about someone's decision-making. "Making a judgment call" refers to making a decision based on one's own assessment of a situation, especially when clear rules or guidelines are lacking.