reserve judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reserve judgment" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are not yet forming an opinion or making a decision about something. Example: "I have not seen enough evidence to make a determination, so I will reserve judgment until I have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I reserve judgment," he said.

The New Yorker

Others are willing to reserve judgment.

The New York Times

Siegel said that he would reserve judgment.

The New Yorker

The rest of us will reserve judgment.

The New York Times

"I hope people reserve judgment...

The New Yorker

"I'm going to reserve judgment," Schumer said.

The New York Times - Sports

Publicly, the FBI continued to reserve judgment.

The Guardian

Swansea fans are entitled to reserve judgment.

The Guardian - Sport

But we should reserve judgment on their significance.

The New York Times

"I will reserve judgment," Mr. Di Segni said.

The New York Times

13 July Judges reserve judgment on the appeal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reserve judgment" when you need more information before forming an opinion or making a decision. It conveys a sense of caution and thoroughness.

Common error

Avoid using "reserve judgment" as a way to dismiss valid concerns or delay necessary action. Ensure it genuinely reflects a need for more information, not a reluctance to engage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reserve judgment" functions as a verb phrase, where "reserve" acts as a verb meaning to hold back or postpone, and "judgment" serves as the noun, representing an opinion or decision. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Film

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reserve judgment" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signals a temporary withholding of opinion or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate in various contexts, particularly where more information is needed before forming a conclusion. Its prevalence in news and media sources underscores its importance in objective reporting and cautious analysis. When writing, using "reserve judgment" accurately demonstrates a commitment to fairness and thoroughness. Alternatives like "withhold opinion" or "defer judgment" can provide stylistic variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: a deliberate pause before making a final determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defer judgment

Emphasizes postponing the act of judging until a later time.

suspend assessment

Highlights the temporary halt of evaluating something.

withhold opinion

Focuses on abstaining from expressing an opinion.

hold off on deciding

Suggests delaying a decision.

avoid jumping to conclusions

Highlights the importance of not making hasty or premature judgments.

refrain from concluding

Indicates abstaining from reaching a final conclusion.

take a wait-and-see approach

Emphasizes a deliberate strategy of observing before making a judgment.

keep an open mind

Focuses on maintaining impartiality and avoiding premature judgments.

wait and see

Suggests a passive approach of awaiting further developments before forming an opinion.

hold one's horses

An idiom suggesting patience and avoiding hasty actions or conclusions.

FAQs

How to use "reserve judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "reserve judgment" when you want to indicate that you are not yet ready to form an opinion. For example, "I will "reserve judgment" until I have reviewed all the evidence."

What does it mean to "reserve judgment"?

To "reserve judgment" means to temporarily withhold forming an opinion or making a decision until more information or evidence is available. It implies a cautious and thoughtful approach.

What can I say instead of "reserve judgment"?

You can use alternatives like "withhold opinion", "defer judgment", or "suspend assessment" depending on the context.

Is it better to "reserve judgment" or form an immediate opinion?

It depends on the situation. When dealing with complex issues or incomplete information, it's generally wise to "reserve judgment" until you have a clearer understanding. However, in routine situations, an immediate opinion might be appropriate.