use your discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

'use your discretion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to give someone the power to make their own judgements or decisions. For example: "Please use your discretion when deciding how to handle this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Please use your discretion".

The New York Times - Arts

They said, 'Whatever, use your discretion.' So I popped him".

The New York Times

They added: "[If the] opposition gets evidence that people are using Unison resources, which includes staff, there could be complaints, so you just need to be careful and use your discretion and do not use emails as these can be traced so easily".

The Guardian

"And I remember the first time a bug flew into my face at rehearsal, I turned to Dan and asked, for my own edification, 'If a bug flies into our face, are we allowed to react or just be stoic?' He just said, 'Use your discretion.' " Ms. White, 48, said, "I remember after one act you came off and said, 'Will you hug me?' And you were fantastic.

The New York Times

But use your discretion in public places.

BBC

You should bear in mind that employer needs do vary, so use your discretion and talk to other people before starting a personal development programme based on just one job description.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

As always with pre-orders, use your own discretion, but to me a handful of these would be a no-brainer if I owned a house.

TechCrunch

I can't ask the Justice Department to say, 'Ignore completely a federal law that's on the books.' What I can say is, 'Use your prosecutorial discretion and properly prioritize your resources to go after things that are really doing folks damage.' As a consequence, there haven't been prosecutions of users of marijuana for medical purposes".

Huffington Post

Use your own discretion.

WikiHow

Use your own discretion and good judgement.

WikiHow

Use your own discretion in choosing whether or not to consume your dairy products raw.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "use your discretion", clearly define the boundaries within which they can make decisions to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't assume everyone interprets 'discretion' in the same way. Be specific about the context and expected outcomes to guide their judgment effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "use your discretion" serves as an imperative, directly instructing someone to employ their personal judgment and discernment in a given situation. This aligns with Ludwig AI which confirms its usability and correct grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

42%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "use your discretion" is a versatile imperative phrase that instructs someone to make decisions based on their own judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in both News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating its wide applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the individual understands the boundaries within which they are expected to make decisions. Related phrases like "exercise your judgment" offer similar meanings, emphasizing the act of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decide for yourself

Highlights personal autonomy in making a choice.

exercise your judgment

Emphasizes the act of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful consideration.

apply your own judgment

Highlights the personal application of one's individual assessment.

make your own call

Indicates the power to decide on a course of action oneself.

use your own initiative

Highlights personal motivation and decision-making skills.

trust your instincts

Suggests making decisions based on intuition rather than logic.

act on your own initiative

Focuses on taking action independently without needing explicit instruction.

rely on your own insight

Stresses the importance of one's internal understanding and perception.

take the initiative

Implies being proactive and making decisions without direct orders.

determine your own course

Emphasizes directing one's own actions and path.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "use your discretion" in a formal context?

In formal settings, you can replace "use your discretion" with phrases like "exercise your judgment" or "apply your own judgment" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean to "use your discretion"?

To "use your discretion" means to make decisions based on your own judgment and understanding of the situation, especially when there are no clear rules or guidelines.

Is there a difference between "use your judgment" and "use your discretion"?

While similar, "use your judgment" generally refers to making a reasoned decision, whereas "use your discretion" implies making a choice considering the specific circumstances and potential consequences, often involving some level of sensitivity or confidentiality.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "use your discretion"?

It is appropriate to advise someone to "use your discretion" when they need to make a decision in a situation where specific rules don't apply or when sensitivity and careful consideration are required.