range of discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "range of discretion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the limits or scope of decision-making authority or judgment in a particular situation. Example: "The judge has a wide range of discretion when determining the appropriate sentence for the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Existing rules and industry practice give firms a broad range of discretion in granting IPO allocations and we believe we acted well within that broad range," Sherburne, the Salomon lawyer, argued.

Forbes

Cops, he said, need to know "they have a wide range of discretion to work with: 'move along,' summons, admonishment, potential and, if resistance is met, the use of force".

Huffington Post

22 With this package they then make judgments, described by Polanyi 16 writing about personal knowledge: in respect of choices made in the exercise of personal judgment …. there is always a range of discretion open in a choice….

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Although General Cartwright might have handled a specific situation with his aide differently during the early morning hours of 31 March 2009, I believe his decisions that morning as well as his other decisions so carefully reviewed in this investigation were within the range of reasonable discretion entrusted to a senior officer," Mr. Mabus wrote in his final judgment.

The New York Times

Table 2 summarizes the range of choices or discretion given to the LGAs in performing various functions under the D by D approach based on the decision space approach.

Global Health Action

(DKI 7) The discussion of our findings will be guided by the decision space approach, which attempts to describe the range of choice or discretion for different health-related functions and plans that have been transferred from the centre to the local authorities under decentralized health systems in Tanzania (26).

Global Health Action

The British Banking Association says banks accept a range of documents at their discretion.

The Guardian - Money

The committee will have a wide range of options at its discretion, from taking no action against Mr. Monserrate at all to censuring him, or expelling him.

The New York Times

Decision space refers to the range of effective choices or discretion that local authorities or institutions are allowed by central authorities (Bossert 1998; Bossert and Beauvais 2002).

Health Policy and Planning

"Please, you desire shahtoosh, we will obtain full range of shahtoosh for you, with discretion".

The New Yorker

The wide range of injuries give prosecutors considerable discretion about which charge to bring against a defendant.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "range of discretion", clearly define the boundaries or limits of that discretion to avoid ambiguity. Specify what factors should be considered within that range.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "range of discretion". Accurately represent the actual scope of authority or decision-making power. Overstating it can lead to misunderstandings and misuse of power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "range of discretion" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun or pronoun, describing the scope or limits of decision-making power. The Ludwig examples demonstrate it defining the extent of authority in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "range of discretion" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to the scope or limits of decision-making authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news, science, and formal business contexts. It's crucial to define the boundaries of this "range of discretion" clearly to prevent ambiguity. Related phrases include "scope of authority" and "discretionary power". Avoid overstating the "range of discretion", and be mindful of the potential for "abuse of discretion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discretionary power

Focuses on the power to make decisions based on one's own judgment.

scope of authority

Emphasizes the boundaries within which someone is empowered to make decisions.

latitude of judgment

Highlights the freedom to form opinions and make assessments.

extent of power

Focuses on the degree of influence or control one possesses.

spectrum of choices

Refers to the available options within a decision-making process.

breadth of options

Indicates a wide array of possibilities for selection.

leeway in decisions

Stresses the flexibility allowed when making choices.

margin for error

Acknowledges the acceptable deviation from a standard or expectation.

freedom of action

Highlights the liberty to perform activities without constraint.

room to maneuver

Implies the capacity to adapt or adjust strategies as needed.

FAQs

How can I use "range of discretion" in a sentence?

You can use "range of discretion" to describe the extent to which someone can make choices independently. For example, "The manager has a wide "range of discretion" when handling customer complaints".

What's a good alternative to "range of discretion"?

Alternatives include "scope of authority", "latitude of judgment", or "discretionary power", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "range of discretion" formal or informal?

"Range of discretion" is suitable for professional, neutral, and academic contexts, avoiding overly informal language.

How does "range of discretion" differ from "abuse of discretion"?

"Range of discretion" refers to the legitimate extent of decision-making power, while "abuse of discretion" describes instances where that power is used improperly or beyond its intended scope.