questionable judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questionable judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or opinion that is doubtful or not well-founded. Example: "His questionable judgment in handling the situation led to further complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Williams is a smart young man with questionable judgment.

The New York Times - Sports

Bush's exercising questionable judgment in making a key selection & then to show "strength", digging in.

The New Yorker

The timing also shows questionable judgment about the foreign-policy signals it could send.

The Economist

One had lost the colonel's confidence after he displayed questionable judgment in a recent expedition.

The New York Times

"It evidences questionable judgment and a preoccupation with self-interest over institutional best interest," it said.

The New York Times

There were a few examples of more questionable judgment and less happy returns.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Readers, however, should not allow questionable judgments of culpability to detract from the value of this book.

The New York Times - Books

Again, the reasons for these problems were complex, and many parties made questionable judgments, but they did also have something to do with the attitude of the architects.

The Guardian - Arts

"It was a string of questionable judgments and rash actions on his part that paved the way to the film's undoing," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

While social-media platforms may open up possibilities for user participation, they also carry the risk of promoting bad information and questionable judgments and of eroding the authority of institutional curators.

The New York Times - Arts

When thorny issues arise -- racial friction on and off the field, questionable judgments that affect the health and safety of the players -- the script, written by Mr. Berg and David Aaron Cohen, neither dwells on them nor shoves them aside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly. In formal contexts, opt for more nuanced alternatives like "dubious decision-making" or "lack of foresight".

Common error

Avoid using "questionable judgment" without providing specific details. Instead of saying "His questionable judgment led to problems", explain what decisions were questionable and what problems arose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questionable judgment" functions as a noun phrase, where "questionable" modifies the noun "judgment". It describes a state of mind or a decision-making process that is considered doubtful or flawed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questionable judgment" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe decisions or actions considered doubtful or flawed. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media sources, highlighting its use in reporting on imprudent choices made by individuals and organizations. While perfectly acceptable, in very formal settings, alternatives such as "dubious decision-making" or "lack of foresight" may be preferred. Remember to provide specific context and examples to support your assessment when using the phrase, ensuring clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious decision-making

Focuses on the flawed process leading to a decision.

poor decision-making

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the decisions made.

questionable choices

Highlights the selection of inappropriate options.

faulty reasoning

Highlights errors in the thought process.

questionable wisdom

Directly questions the insight behind a decision or action.

doubtful prudence

Emphasizes the uncertainty of acting carefully.

lack of foresight

Stresses the failure to anticipate consequences.

imprudent behavior

Indicates a lack of careful consideration.

indiscreet conduct

Highlights a lack of discretion in behavior.

unwise actions

Directly points out the lack of wisdom in actions taken.

FAQs

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

You can use "questionable judgment" to describe decisions or actions that are doubtful or imprudent. For example, "The company's "questionable judgment" in investing in that venture led to significant losses".

What are some alternatives to saying "questionable judgment"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "dubious decision-making", "poor decision-making", or "lack of foresight".

Is it appropriate to use "questionable judgment" in formal writing?

While "questionable judgment" is widely understood, in very formal writing, you might prefer more nuanced and professional alternatives like "imprudent behavior" or "faulty reasoning".

What's the difference between "questionable judgment" and "poor judgment"?

"Poor judgment" generally implies a negative outcome, while "questionable judgment" suggests that the decision-making process itself is flawed or doubtful, regardless of the immediate outcome. Both phrases are similar and often interchangeable, but "questionable judgment" highlights the dubiousness of the decision.