using your best judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "using your best judgment" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when advising someone to make a decision based on their own reasoning and experience. Example: "Please proceed with the project, using your best judgment." Alternative expressions include "trust your instincts" and "exercise your discretion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Using your best judgment and going with your gut feeling can sometime be the best way to read emotion.

WikiHow

Respect yourself by staying in control of your emotions and using your best judgment when working towards conflict resolution with co-workers.

WikiHow

Application rates can be determined by measuring the area you plan to farm, then multiply the pounds per unit of area (X thousands of square foot, or acres ) of the chemicals your soil analysis recommends, but if you choose to forgo this method, you can apply your fertilizer using your best judgment.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"For the rest of us who occasionally have to stay home for the cable guy, please use your best judgment in the spirit of collaboration," it said.

The New York Times

And, for the rest of us who occasionally have to stay home for the cable guy, please use your best judgment in the spirit of collaboration.

The New York Times

Whatever flexibility Yahoo employees previously enjoyed will completely vanish, as this patronizing line in the memo points out: "And, for the rest of us who occasionally have to stay home for the cable guy, please use your best judgment in the spirit of collaboration".

The Guardian - Opinion

Sadly, the media coverage of Mayer's memo failed to acknowledge that Mayer, too, acknowledges the need for flexibility: "And, for the rest of us who occasionally have to stay home for the cable guy, please use your best judgment in the spirit of collaboration," Mayer says.

Huffington Post

Use your best judgment here.

The New Yorker

Use your best judgment at all times.

The New York Times

Be vigilant, and use your best judgment.

Harvard University

It really lets you independently use your best judgment".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, place this phrase at the end of instructions to signify trust in the recipient's expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "using your best judgment" alongside specific, rigid instructions that leave no room for choice. This creates a logical contradiction that confuses the reader. Additionally, do not use it to avoid giving necessary guidance in high-stakes situations where clear protocols are required.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "using your best judgment" is a participial phrase that typically functions as an adverbial modifier. It explains the manner in which an action should be performed. In many Ludwig examples, it follows an imperative verb, serving to qualify how a task should be executed by granting the actor a degree of autonomy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Legal

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "using your best judgment" is a robust and widely accepted phrase used to encourage independent reasoning and discretion. Ludwig AI confirms its presence in the highest tiers of professional and academic writing, where it serves as a bridge between formal instruction and individual agency. Whether you are writing a corporate policy or a personal advice column, this phrase communicates trust and empowers the reader to navigate complexity with their own logic. Its high frequency in sources like The New York Times and Harvard Business Review underscores its role as a key tool for effective, nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at your discretion

Increases formality, often used in legal or official policy contexts.

exercise your judgment

Shifts the focus to the active application of one's reasoning skills.

as you see fit

Emphasizes the freedom of the decision-maker to act according to their own view.

trust your instincts

More informal and suggests relying on intuition rather than purely logical analysis.

use your common sense

Implies that the solution should be obvious or based on practical everyday knowledge.

follow your gut

Idiomatic and informal, emphasizing an emotional or visceral decision-making process.

to the best of your knowledge

Limits the scope to the information available to the person rather than their logic.

making an informed decision

Stresses the importance of having all the facts before acting.

with due care

Focuses more on the cautious nature of the action rather than the decision-making authority.

of your own volition

Stresses that the action is taken by choice without outside pressure.

FAQs

How to use "using your best judgment" in a sentence?

You can use it to delegate authority, such as: "Please complete the report, "using your best judgment" regarding the final layout".

What can I say instead of "using your best judgment"?

You can use alternatives like "at your discretion", "exercise your judgment", or "as you see fit" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it "using your best judgment" or "best judgement"?

Both are correct. "Judgment" is more common in American English, while "judgement" is often used in British English. Ludwig AI shows high frequency for the single 'e' version in US-based news sources.

What is the difference between "best judgment" and "common sense"?

While "common sense" refers to practical reasoning that most people share, "best judgment" implies a higher level of professional or personal discernment tailored to a specific, often complex, situation.