your best judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "your best judgment" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase when making decisions based on personal opinion rather than facts. For example, "When choosing what to wear, use your best judgment to make sure you're dressed appropriately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You make your best judgment.

The New Yorker

Use your best judgment here.

The New Yorker

Use your best judgment at all times.

The New York Times

You go with your best judgment".

The New York Times

Be vigilant, and use your best judgment.

Harvard University

"I'm asking you to use your best judgment," he said.

The New York Times

It really lets you independently use your best judgment".

The New York Times

"It's your best judgment out there," Moonves said.

The New York Times - Magazine

You'll be tickled and, despite your best judgment, probably singing along.

The New York Times

If you've decided to leave, use your best judgment in selectively sharing that information with colleagues.

Harvard Business Review

In all areas, use your best judgment.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to use their "your best judgment", provide them with the necessary information and context to make an informed decision.

Common error

Avoid using "your best judgment" without ensuring the other party possesses sufficient knowledge or experience to make an appropriate decision. Unclear instructions can lead to unintended outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "your best judgment" primarily functions as a directive, instructing someone to make a decision based on their own assessment and understanding. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

35%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "your best judgment" is a directive used to encourage independent decision-making, relying on an individual's assessment and understanding. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used. It is suitable for both professional and informal contexts, though is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure the individual has enough context and information to make an informed decision. Alternatives include "use your discretion" or "trust your instincts".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

use your discretion

This alternative focuses on the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

exercise your own judgment

This emphasizes the personal application of one's ability to form opinions or make estimations.

rely on your judgment

This suggests confidence in one's ability to make sound decisions.

trust your instincts

This alternative highlights the role of intuition in decision-making.

follow your intuition

Similar to trusting your instincts, this implies guiding actions based on intuitive understanding.

use your own initiative

This stresses the proactive and independent nature of decision-making.

make an informed decision

This suggests a decision made after careful consideration of available information.

assess the situation and act accordingly

This alternative involves evaluating circumstances before taking action.

apply your understanding

This focuses on utilizing comprehension to guide decisions.

act on your own assessment

This emphasizes acting based on a personal evaluation of the situation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "your best judgment"?

The phrase "your best judgment" is appropriate when you want to delegate decision-making authority to someone, trusting their ability to assess a situation and make a sound choice based on the information available to them.

What does it mean to use "your best judgment"?

Using "your best judgment" means making a decision based on your own assessment of the circumstances, considering all available information and your personal understanding or experience.

How can I ask someone to use their best judgment in a clearer way?

To make it clearer, you might say "Please use "your discretion" in this matter, considering all the factors we've discussed" or "I trust you to "exercise your own judgment" based on your understanding of the situation".

What are some alternatives to telling someone to use "your best judgment"?

Alternatives include advising them to "trust your instincts", "rely on your judgment", or "make an informed decision", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.