- Have you ever wondered whether you should make, give, or pass a judgement?
- Do you feel unsure about the difference between a sound judgement and a value judgement?
- Are you looking for the exact words native speakers use to describe professional decision-making?
Mastering judgement collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language—which often leads to awkward phrasing—learning these natural word combinations allows you to communicate complex ideas with precision, authority, and reduced “language anxiety.”
Essential Collocations using JUDGEMENT as a Noun
In English, “judgement” (or “judgment” in US English) most frequently functions as a noun. It refers to the ability to make considered decisions or the official legal decision of a court. Below are the most common ways we describe and use this noun in 2024.
Adjectives: Describing the Quality of Judgement
- Sound judgement: The ability to make good, sensible decisions.
Example: We hired her because she demonstrated sound judgement during the crisis. - Poor judgement: Making a decision that results in a negative outcome.
Example: Driving while exhausted is a clear sign of poor judgement. - Professional/Clinical judgement: Decisions based on specialized training or experience.
Example: The doctor used her clinical judgement to recommend the surgery. - A value judgement: An assessment based on personal beliefs rather than objective facts.
Example: It is difficult to avoid making a value judgement when discussing art. - Harsh judgement: A very critical or severe assessment of someone.
Example: Don’t be too quick to pass harsh judgement on his first mistake.
Verbs: Actions Taken with Judgement
- Exercise judgement: To use your ability to decide or judge (very common in professional settings).
Example: Employees are expected to exercise judgement when dealing with difficult clients. - Pass judgement: To give an opinion about whether something/someone is good or bad.
Example: It is not my place to pass judgement on how you raise your children. - Cloud someone’s judgement: To make it difficult for someone to think clearly or sensibly.
Example: Anger can easily cloud your judgement during a negotiation. - Reserve judgement: To wait before forming an opinion until you have more information.
Example: I will reserve judgement on the new policy until I see the final results. - Trust someone’s judgement: To believe that someone is capable of making the right decision.
Example: I trust your judgement completely regarding the marketing budget.
Prepositional Phrases with Judgement
- In my judgement: A formal way to say “In my opinion.”
Example: In my judgement, the risks outweigh the potential rewards. - An error in judgement: A mistake made because of a bad decision.
Example: The manager admitted that hiring the consultant was an error in judgement. - A lapse in judgement: A temporary failure to use good sense.
Example: It was a one-time lapse in judgement by an otherwise excellent student.
Common Collocations with JUDGE as a Verb
While “judgement” is the noun, the root verb “judge” has its own specific set of collocations that you must master to sound natural.
Adverbs: Describing How We Judge
- Judge fairly: To evaluate someone without bias.
Example: The competition aims to judge fairly based on merit alone. - Judge harshly: To be overly critical.
Example: Society often judges celebrities harshly for minor mistakes. - Judge prematurely: To form an opinion before you have all the facts.
Example: Please don’t judge prematurely; wait until the project is finished.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sound judgement | Adjective + Noun | Good, sensible decision-making. |
| Cloud judgement | Verb + Noun | To make someone’s thinking unclear. |
| Pass judgement | Verb + Noun | To criticize or state an opinion. |
| Reserve judgement | Verb + Noun | To wait before forming an opinion. |
| In my judgement | Prepositional Phrase | In my professional opinion. |
| Judge prematurely | Verb + Adverb | To decide too early. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| According to my judgement | In my judgement |
| Make a judgement (when criticizing) | Pass judgement |
| A heavy judgement | A harsh judgement |
| My judgement is dirty | My judgement is clouded |
| Use your judgement (too informal) | Exercise your judgement |
Contextual Story
“When I was asked to lead the merger, I knew I had to exercise sound judgement at every stage. I tried to reserve judgement on the new team members until I saw their work firsthand. However, the stress of the deadline began to cloud my judgement, leading to a minor error in judgement regarding the timeline. Thankfully, the CEO trusted my judgement and gave me the space to correct the mistake without passing harsh judgement on my performance.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Judgement Collocations
Is it spelled ‘judgement’ or ‘judgment’?
Both are correct. ‘Judgement’ (with the ‘e’) is the preferred spelling in British English (UK), while ‘judgment’ (without the ‘e’) is standard in American English (US), especially in legal contexts. Both are understood globally.
What is the difference between ‘passing judgement’ and ‘making a judgement’?
‘Pass judgement’ often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, implying you are acting as a judge over someone’s behavior. ‘Form a judgement’ or ‘make a judgement’ is more neutral and refers to the cognitive process of reaching a decision.
What does ‘a value judgement’ mean in a professional setting?
A value judgement is an opinion based on someone’s personal standards or ethics rather than objective, measurable facts. In business, people are often warned against making value judgements to ensure decisions stay data-driven.
Which preposition should I use after judgement?
Can ‘judgement’ be plural?
Yes, ‘judgements’ can be used when referring to multiple specific decisions or opinions made by different people or at different times. For example: ‘The court issued several judgements this morning.’
This article really clicked for me regarding 'language anxiety'. I often hesitate because I'm not sure if my chosen words sound natural. Collocations like these give me confidence!
I'm curious about the historical origin of 'pass a judgement'. Does it specifically come from a legal background, or was it used more broadly before?
What about 'exercising judgement'? Does that mean the same as 'making a judgement' or is there a slightly different emphasis?
I sometimes struggle with using 'judgement' in a business context, especially when writing formal reports. Are there other collocations common in corporate settings apart from 'professional judgement'?
This is such a common mistake for non-native speakers, trying to translate word-for-word. Thanks for highlighting the importance of natural collocations and providing clear examples. I'll be more mindful now!
You're spot on, Olga! Direct translation is a common pitfall. Our aim is to equip you with the tools to sound more like a native speaker, and recognizing these common collocations is a huge step. We're glad this article resonated with you and will help in your learning journey!
Can 'judgement' be pluralized? Like 'multiple judgements' in a legal context? Or does it usually stay singular even when referring to several instances?
Yes, Liam, absolutely! In a legal context, 'judgement' can definitely be pluralized. You might speak of 'the judge delivered several judgements' or 'the court issued multiple judgements on the consolidated cases.' When referring to a series of decisions or findings, the plural 'judgements' (or 'judgments' in US English) is correct. Excellent query!
The concept of 'language anxiety' is so real for many of us learning English. Learning these specific collocations definitely helps reduce that feeling of uncertainty. Thank you for addressing it!
Thank you for sharing that, Raj! We completely understand the challenges of language anxiety. Our mission is to provide clear, practical tools that empower learners to communicate with confidence and precision. Knowing these natural combinations can significantly smooth your path to fluency. Keep up the great work!
Are there any informal or slang ways to talk about 'poor judgement'? Or is it generally a more formal phrase?
That's a fun linguistic dive, Chloe! While 'poor judgement' is quite standard, informally you might hear phrases like 'a brain fart,' 'a bad call,' or someone saying they 'messed up' or 'didn't think straight.' These don't directly substitute 'poor judgement' but refer to actions resulting from it. 'A lapse in judgement' is also common and slightly less formal than 'poor judgement' itself. Great question!
I used 'do a judgement' last week in a presentation, and my native speaker colleague gently corrected me. Now I see exactly why! This article is a lifesaver for avoiding those awkward moments. Thank you!
We've all been there, Diego! Those 'aha!' moments are a crucial part of the learning process. Collocations are tricky because they often defy direct translation, but mastering them is a huge step towards sounding more natural and fluent. We're glad we could help make things clearer!
As an English teacher, I find this article incredibly useful for explaining the importance of collocations to my students. The examples are very clear and relatable. I'll definitely be sharing this!
We are so delighted to hear that, Sofia! It's wonderful to know that our content can support fellow educators in teaching the nuances of English. Your feedback is invaluable, and we hope your students find it as beneficial as you do!