unwise decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwise decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice or action that is considered to lack good judgment or wisdom. Example: "Choosing to invest all his savings in a single stock was an unwise decision that he later regretted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But, unfortunately, it was an unwise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

No, it wasn't an unwise decision.

The New York Times - Sports

This proves to be a spectacularly unwise decision.

The New York Times

"In those precise circumstances it seems an unwise decision".

The Guardian

"This was an unwise decision," said Abdulatif Kablan, an airline pilot.

The New York Times

A patient's determination to make an unwise decision does not justify a doctor's deceit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

As Dr. Appel points out, patients have the freedom to make unwise decisions.

The New York Times

People who make unwise decisions about their own health endanger themselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

As I learned, unwise decisions sometimes rest on misunderstanding or shortsightedness.

The New York Times

One of the most difficult challenges that physicians face is allowing patients to make what appear to be unwise decisions — even decisions that may lead to increased suffering or premature death.

The New York Times

Globally low interest rates have been a prime cause, but Australian politicians have stoked the fire with their own unwise decisions.One, in 1999, was to cut the rate of capital-gains tax to 24.25%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where a decision's negative consequences are already evident, using "unwise decision" can effectively communicate the lack of foresight involved.

Common error

While "unwise decision" is generally acceptable, consider more nuanced alternatives like "imprudent judgment" or "ill-advised course of action" in highly formal or academic writing for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unwise decision" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unwise" modifies the noun "decision". It's used to describe a specific choice or course of action considered lacking in good judgment. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unwise decision" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a choice lacking good judgment. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is valid and commonly used. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "imprudent decision". When using "unwise decision", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of foresight or potential negative consequences stemming from the described action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish decision

Emphasizes the lack of intelligence or good sense in the decision.

ill-advised decision

Highlights that the decision was made based on poor advice or guidance.

imprudent decision

Focuses on the lack of care or foresight in the decision.

rash decision

Indicates that the decision was made too quickly without enough thought.

ill-considered decision

Stresses the lack of careful thought or evaluation before making the decision.

poor judgment

Highlights the lack of discernment or good sense.

unfortunate choice

Focuses on the negative consequences or outcome of the decision.

misguided choice

Implies that the decision was based on incorrect or flawed beliefs.

unreasonable choice

Highlights that the decision does not comply with logic or justice.

unjustified decision

Emphasizes that the decision lacks proper reason or cause.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "unwise decision"?

You can use alternatives like "foolish decision", "ill-advised decision", or "imprudent decision" depending on the context.

How do I use "unwise decision" in a sentence?

You can use "unwise decision" to describe a choice or action that lacks good judgment. For example, "Investing all your money in a single stock is generally considered an unwise decision."

Which is correct, "unwise decision" or "foolish decision"?

Both "unwise decision" and "foolish decision" are correct, but "unwise decision" might sound slightly more formal and less harsh than "foolish decision".

What's the difference between "unwise decision" and "poor decision"?

While both terms indicate a negative outcome, "unwise decision" emphasizes the lack of wisdom or foresight in the decision-making process. "Poor decision" is more general and simply indicates a bad outcome.