unwise choices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwise choices" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe decisions or actions that are not smart or sensible. For example: "John regretted his unwise choices when he realized they had led to financial trouble." "Making unwise choices in high school had a negative impact on Sarah's college opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Some unwise choices do hinder the show.

The New York Times

(People sometimes make unwise choices about sex after a glass or three).

The Economist

Rather they symbolise the mental anguish in this life that can result from unwise choices and actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet for some students financial hardship can affect their studies, or drive them towards some unwise choices when it comes to making ends meet.

Independent

She did this at 17, dropping out of high school, a decision that would set the precedent for many equally unwise choices.

The New York Times - Books

"There are all these very bright, talented women who get tripped up by unwise choices in men," said Anne Kenyon of Chappaqua.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He had made the unwise choice of walking up the subway stairs with his hands in his pockets.

The New York Times

Or, she may have made an unwise choice, giving into desires she could have resisted because she underestimated how unyielding the world would be.

The New Yorker

Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of Federal District Court said it was an "unwise" choice, but she granted his request to face terror-related charges on his own.

The New York Times

Two Norths were favored with a club lead away from the king, which was an unwise choice, given that North had opened with a strong no-trump.

The New York Times

Do Ms. Rudoren's personal musings, as they have seeped out in unfiltered social media posts (and, notably, have been criticized from both the right and the left), make her an unwise choice for this crucially important job?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing past actions, use "unwise choices" to acknowledge errors in judgment without assigning blame. This can be useful in reports or reflective writing.

Common error

While acceptable, "unwise choices" might sound too mild in formal or critical analyses. Opt for stronger terms like "detrimental decisions" or "ill-advised actions" to convey a greater sense of gravity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unwise choices" functions as a noun phrase, where "unwise" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "choices". As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used to describe decisions or actions that lack good judgment. Examples show it often precedes verbs indicating negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwise choices" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing decisions lacking good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its utility in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it's important to consider the setting and opt for stronger alternatives in formal analyses. Being aware of this can help enhance the precision and impact of your writing, highlighting that the choice of words does matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprudent decisions

Emphasizes a lack of foresight or caution in the decisions made.

ill-advised actions

Highlights the poor counsel or judgment behind the actions.

foolish decisions

Stresses the lack of intelligence or common sense in the decisions.

rash judgments

Focuses on the impulsiveness and lack of careful consideration in the judgments.

poor choices

A more general term indicating that the selections were not good or beneficial.

unfortunate selections

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck associated with the choices.

misguided actions

Implies that the actions were based on flawed understanding or incorrect beliefs.

careless decisions

Underscores the lack of attention or diligence in the decision-making process.

reckless actions

Emphasizes the disregard for potential danger or negative outcomes.

indiscreet choices

Focuses on the lack of prudence or sensitivity in the choices made.

FAQs

How can I use "unwise choices" in a sentence?

You can use "unwise choices" to describe decisions that have negative consequences. For example, "His "unwise choices" led to financial difficulties".

What are some alternatives to "unwise choices"?

Alternatives to "unwise choices" include "poor choices", "ill-advised actions", or "imprudent decisions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "unwise decisions" or "unwise choices"?

"Unwise decisions" and "unwise choices" are often interchangeable. However, "choices" might imply a broader range of options, while "decisions" might suggest a more formal or deliberate process.

What's the difference between "unwise choices" and "regrettable choices"?

"Unwise choices" focuses on the poor judgment at the time of the decision, while "regrettable choices" emphasizes the feeling of sorrow or disappointment after the consequences are realized.