use your judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "use your judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to make a decision based on their own assessment or reasoning rather than following strict rules or guidelines. Example: "In this situation, I trust you to use your judgment to determine the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you find that not all the advice in a book is useful to you, use your judgment.

WikiHow

Beyond that, use your judgment.

The Washington Post

You have to use your judgment.

The Guardian

Add the oats but use your judgment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Well, you have to use your judgment," Ms. Clark said.

The New York Times

Please use your judgment and look out for yourself.

Harvard Business Review

You have to use your judgment and make hard choices.

Harvard Business Review

As with any seasoning, you must use your judgment when adding these sweeteners.

The New York Times

Social kissing varies according to the people and cultures involved, so use your judgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You just have to use your judgment and carry on life.

The Guardian

That is when you need to use your judgment.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, follow the phrase "use your judgment" with context or specific considerations to guide their decision-making process effectively.

Common error

Avoid advising someone to "use your judgment" without providing sufficient background or information. Ensure they have the necessary context to make an informed decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "use your judgment" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to employ their own reasoning and discernment in a given situation. According to Ludwig AI, it provides advice by empowering individuals to make informed decisions based on their evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "use your judgment" is a versatile imperative that encourages independent decision-making, suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its frequency is very common, it's important to provide sufficient context when using the phrase to ensure informed decisions. Alternatives include "exercise your discretion" and "trust your instincts", each offering a slightly different nuance. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media and wiki sources, reflecting its broad applicability. Therefore, remember that offering the proper context is the key when telling people to use their best judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise your discretion

Emphasizes the freedom to choose based on careful consideration of circumstances.

act according to your best judgment

Formal way of saying to make a decision using your intelligence and common sense.

trust your instincts

Highlights relying on intuition or inherent understanding.

rely on your own assessment

Focuses on using personal evaluation and understanding.

apply your own reasoning

Stresses the use of logical thought processes.

assess the situation yourself

Focuses on personally evaluating the circumstances before acting.

make a considered decision

Highlights the importance of careful thought and deliberation.

use your own initiative

Focuses on taking independent action based on one's judgment.

take the matter into your own hands

Implies a more active role in resolving a situation.

follow your own lead

Suggests guiding oneself based on personal understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "use your judgment" to encourage someone to make a decision based on their own assessment of a situation, like: "The recipe doesn't specify the exact amount of spice, so "use your judgment" to add according to your taste."

What's a more formal alternative to "use your judgment"?

A more formal alternative could be "exercise your discretion", which suggests a more measured and considered approach to decision-making.

Is it ever inappropriate to tell someone to "use your judgment"?

It might be inappropriate if the person lacks the necessary experience, knowledge, or authority to make a sound decision. In such cases, providing clear instructions or guidelines would be more helpful.

How does "use your judgment" differ from "trust your instincts"?

"Use your judgment" implies a more rational and thoughtful approach, whereas "trust your instincts" suggests relying on intuition or a feeling without necessarily having all the facts.