suspend judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspend judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to refrain from forming an opinion or making a decision about something until they have more information or understanding. Example: "In discussions about controversial topics, it's often best to suspend judgment until all perspectives have been considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others were willing to suspend judgment.

The New York Times - Food

I prefer to suspend judgment.

The Guardian - Books

Note Carrère's reply: "I suspend judgment".

The Guardian - Books

Chaput encouraged disapproving conservatives to suspend judgment about Francis.

The New Yorker

Even to suspend judgment may be to take sides.

The New Yorker

You are supposed to suspend judgment, yet exercise it.

The New Yorker

Having it all are moments in life when you suspend judgment.

The New York Times

If so, do you think the responsibility to suspend judgment extends to readers as well?

The New Yorker

If they could be led to suspend judgment, however, they would find peace of mind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For now, people in and out of state government seem willing to suspend judgment.

The New York Times

"The best thing people should do is suspend judgment," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presented with new or conflicting information, use "suspend judgment" to encourage a period of evaluation before forming a definitive opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "suspend judgment" as a justification for inaction or indecisiveness when a decision is required. Ensure that the suspension of judgment serves a purpose, such as gathering more information or considering different perspectives, rather than simply delaying the inevitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspend judgment" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to advise or recommend delaying the formation of an opinion or decision. Ludwig AI shows, it's often used in contexts where impartiality or further evaluation is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspend judgment" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that advises delaying the formation of an opinion or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, promoting objectivity and thoroughness. While alternatives like "withhold judgment" or "defer judgment" exist, it's crucial to avoid using the phrase as a justification for inaction. Therefore, the advice to "suspend judgement" is applicable if the goal is to promote critical thinking while avoiding hasty decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withhold judgment

Emphasizes the act of holding back an opinion.

defer judgment

Highlights postponing the act of making a judgment.

reserve judgment

Suggests holding back a final decision until all facts are known.

delay judgment

Focuses on the temporal aspect of postponing judgment.

postpone evaluation

Replaces "judgment" with "evaluation", emphasizing assessment.

hold off on judging

More informal way of saying to delay forming an opinion.

avoid jumping to conclusions

Focuses on refraining from making hasty decisions.

keep an open mind

Emphasizes the importance of being receptive to new information.

take a wait-and-see approach

Suggests a passive approach, waiting for more information.

refrain from judging

Emphasizes the act of abstaining from making a judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "suspend judgment" to advise someone to delay forming an opinion until they have more information. For example, "It's important to "suspend judgment" until all the evidence is presented."

What does it mean to "suspend judgment"?

"Suspend judgment" means to temporarily refrain from forming a final opinion or making a decision about something, often to allow for further information or consideration.

What can I say instead of "suspend judgment"?

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

When is it appropriate to "suspend judgment"?

It is appropriate to "suspend judgment" when you lack sufficient information, when dealing with complex or sensitive issues, or when you want to avoid making hasty decisions based on incomplete understanding.