The English language, with its rich history and diverse influences, often presents spelling challenges. One such challenge lies in the word “judgment.” Is it spelled with an ‘e’ (“judgement”) or without (“judgment”)?
Understanding the nuances of this word’s spelling variations is crucial for clear and effective communication. This article will delve into the history, usage, and regional differences of “judgment” and “judgement,” providing you with the knowledge to confidently choose the correct spelling in any context.
Whether you’re a student, a professional writer, or simply someone who wants to improve their English skills, this guide will help you master this common spelling conundrum.
This comprehensive guide explores the correct spelling of “judgment,” covering everything from its definition and structural breakdown to usage rules and common mistakes. With detailed examples, practice exercises, and frequently asked questions, this article will empower you to use “judgment” correctly in all your writing.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Judgment
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Judgment
- Examples of Judgment in Sentences
- Usage Rules for Judgment and Judgement
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Judgment
The word “judgment” (or “judgement”) carries significant weight in the English language, encompassing various aspects of evaluation, decision-making, and legal pronouncements. It’s a noun that derives from the verb “to judge,” reflecting its core meaning of forming an opinion or conclusion.
Definition: Judgment can be defined as the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. It also refers to an opinion or decision that is based on careful thought. In a legal context, judgment signifies the formal decision of a court.
Classification: Grammatically, “judgment” is a noun. It can be either a countable or an uncountable noun, depending on the context. When referring to a specific decision, it is countable (e.g., “The court issued three judgments”). When referring to the general ability to make sound decisions, it is uncountable (e.g., “He showed good judgment”).
Function: “Judgment” functions in sentences as a subject, object, or complement. It can be modified by adjectives (e.g., “sound judgment,” “hasty judgment”) and can be part of prepositional phrases (e.g., “in my judgment,” “according to his judgment”).
Contexts: The word “judgment” appears in a wide range of contexts, including:
- Legal: Court decisions, sentencing, rulings.
- Personal: Evaluating a situation, making a choice, forming an opinion.
- Moral: Assessing right and wrong, ethical considerations.
- Aesthetic: Evaluating art, music, or beauty.
- Professional: Decision-making in business, medicine, or other fields.
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structure of “judgment” and its variant “judgement” can help clarify their usage. The base word is “judge,” to which the suffix “-ment” is added.
Root Word: Judge – This is the foundational element, signifying the act of forming an opinion or making a decision.
Suffix: -ment – This suffix is commonly used in English to form nouns indicating an action, process, or result. It transforms the verb “judge” into the noun “judgment.”
Spelling Variation: The key difference lies in whether the ‘e’ from “judge” is retained before adding “-ment.” In American English, the ‘e’ is typically dropped, resulting in “judgment.” In British English, the ‘e’ is often kept, resulting in “judgement.” However, it’s important to note that “judgment” is also widely accepted and increasingly common in British English.
The following table illustrates the structural breakdown:
| Word Component | Spelling | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Root Word | Judge | The verb meaning to form an opinion. |
| Suffix | -ment | Suffix forming a noun of action or result. |
| American English | Judgment | ‘e’ is dropped before adding -ment. |
| British English | Judgement | ‘e’ is retained before adding -ment (though “judgment” is also acceptable). |
Types and Categories of Judgment
Judgment can be categorized in various ways, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some common types:
Legal Judgment
This refers to the formal decision of a court in a legal case. It can include verdicts, sentences, and rulings on legal matters.
Moral Judgment
This involves assessing the ethical implications of actions or decisions, determining whether they are right or wrong based on moral principles.
Personal Judgment
This encompasses the everyday decisions and evaluations we make in our personal lives, from choosing what to eat to deciding how to spend our time.
Aesthetic Judgment
This involves evaluating art, music, literature, or other forms of beauty based on subjective criteria and personal preferences.
Professional Judgment
This refers to the decisions made by professionals in their respective fields, based on their expertise and training. It is particularly important in fields where decisions can have significant consequences, such as medicine, law, and engineering.
The table below illustrates these different types of judgment with examples:
| Type of Judgment | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Judgment | Formal decision of a court. | The judge delivered the judgment, sentencing the defendant to five years in prison. |
| Moral Judgment | Assessment of ethical implications. | It’s a matter of judgment whether to report the incident or not. |
| Personal Judgment | Everyday decisions and evaluations. | That was a poor judgment on your part to drive so late. |
| Aesthetic Judgment | Evaluation of art or beauty. | Her judgment of the painting was based on its emotional impact. |
| Professional Judgment | Decisions made by professionals. | The doctor used his professional judgment to prescribe the medication. |
Examples of Judgment in Sentences
To further illustrate the usage of “judgment” and “judgement,” here are several examples categorized by context. Note the variations in spelling and their regional associations.
General Usage
These examples demonstrate the word used in everyday contexts, reflecting opinions, decisions, and evaluations.
| Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|
| In my judgment, the plan is fundamentally flawed. | Expressing an opinion. |
| It requires careful judgment to balance competing interests. | Highlighting the need for thoughtful decision-making. |
| His judgment in this matter is questionable. | Casting doubt on someone’s decision-making ability. |
| She showed excellent judgment in handling the crisis. | Praising someone’s ability to make good decisions. |
| The success of the project depends on sound judgment. | Emphasizing the importance of good decision-making for success. |
| That was a lapse in judgment. | Indicating a mistake in decision-making. |
| I trust your judgment on this issue. | Expressing confidence in someone’s decision-making ability. |
| Good judgment comes from experience. | Suggesting that experience improves decision-making. |
| Use your best judgment. | Advising someone to make a careful decision. |
| I question his judgment. | Expressing doubt about someone’s decision-making. |
| Her judgment is always sound. | Indicating someone consistently makes good decisions. |
| The board relied on his judgment. | Suggesting someone’s decisions were trusted. |
| That was a wise judgment call. | Praising a specific decision. |
| It was an error in judgment. | Acknowledging a mistake. |
| His judgment is usually reliable. | Indicating someone is generally good at making decisions. |
| Her judgment is impeccable. | Praising someone’s decision-making ability. |
| He exercised poor judgment. | Criticizing someone’s decision-making. |
| The decision requires careful judgment. | Emphasizing the need for thoughtful decision-making. |
| I respect your judgment. | Expressing respect for someone’s decisions. |
| The outcome reflects good judgment. | Suggesting the result was due to good decision-making. |
Legal Context
These examples illustrate the use of “judgment” within the legal system, referring to court decisions and legal pronouncements.
| Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|
| The court delivered its judgment in the case. | Referring to the court’s decision. |
| The judgment was appealed to a higher court. | Indicating an appeal of the court’s decision. |
| The judgment is final and binding. | Stating the decision is not subject to further appeal. |
| He was served with a judgment for unpaid debt. | Referring to a legal ruling regarding debt. |
| The judgment ordered the defendant to pay damages. | Describing the court’s order for compensation. |
| The judge reserved judgment until the next hearing. | Indicating the judge will make the decision later. |
| The judgment was entered into the court records. | Referring to the official recording of the decision. |
| They are seeking a judgment against the company. | Indicating a legal action against a company. |
| The judgment was in favor of the plaintiff. | Stating the decision was for the plaintiff. |
| The court overturned the previous judgment. | Referring to the reversal of a prior decision. |
| The judgment included punitive damages. | Describing the type of damages awarded. |
| He is enforcing the judgment. | Indicating the process of carrying out the court’s decision. |
| The judgment is subject to review. | Referring to a potential examination of the decision. |
| The judgment clarified the law. | Stating the decision provided legal clarity. |
| The judgment was based on evidence presented. | Indicating the basis of the court’s decision. |
| The judgment is a matter of public record. | Referring to the public availability of the decision. |
| The judgment outlines the terms of the settlement. | Describing the contents of the court’s decision. |
| The judgment confirmed the validity of the contract. | Stating the court upheld the contract. |
| The judgment is being challenged. | Indicating the decision is being contested. |
| The judgment provided closure to the case. | Suggesting the decision brought an end to the matter. |
British English Usage (Judgement)
While “judgment” is increasingly common, “judgement” remains an accepted spelling in British English. These examples demonstrate its use.
| Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|
| In my judgement, the policy needs revision. | Expressing an opinion (British English). |
| The committee will make a judgement on the proposal. | Referring to a decision (British English). |
| His judgement was clouded by personal feelings. | Describing impaired decision-making (British English). |
| The court issued a judgement against the defendant. | Referring to a court decision (British English). |
| That was a poor judgement call. | Indicating a mistake (British English). |
| It requires careful judgement to assess the risks. | Highlighting the need for thoughtful decision-making (British English). |
| She displayed sound judgement throughout the negotiations. | Praising someone’s decision-making ability (British English). |
| The success of the venture hinges on good judgement. | Emphasizing the importance of good decision-making (British English). |
| The tribunal delivered its judgement this morning. | Referring to a tribunal’s decision (British English). |
| His judgement in artistic matters is highly respected. | Referring to expertise and decision-making in the realm of art (British English). |
| The judgement was based on a thorough review of the evidence. | Referring to a decision made with consideration of the facts (British English). |
| It was a matter of professional judgement. | Describing a decision made based on expertise (British English). |
| The appeal against the judgement was dismissed. | Referring to the rejection of an appeal (British English). |
| The final judgement will be announced next week. | Referring to an upcoming decision (British English). |
| That showed a lack of judgement. | Indicating a mistake or poor decision (British English). |
| His judgement is usually very reliable. | Describing someone’s consistent ability to make good decisions (British English). |
| The company relied on his judgement. | Referring to someone’s decisions being trusted (British English). |
| The judgement call was difficult to make. | Referring to a challenging decision (British English). |
| The panel is expected to deliver its judgement soon. | Referring to an anticipated decision (British English). |
| In his judgement, the risk was too high. | Expressing an opinion about risk assessment (British English). |
Usage Rules for Judgment and Judgement
The primary rule to remember is the regional preference: “judgment” is the standard spelling in American English, while “judgement” is an accepted variant in British English. However, “judgment” is also widely used and increasingly common in British English, making it a safe choice in most contexts.
American English: Use “judgment” (without the ‘e’).
British English: “Judgement” (with the ‘e’) is acceptable, but “judgment” is also widely used and often preferred in modern usage.
Consistency: Regardless of which spelling you choose, maintain consistency throughout your document. Do not switch between “judgment” and “judgement” unless there is a specific reason to do so (e.g., quoting a source that uses a particular spelling).
Legal Documents: In legal writing, it’s crucial to adhere to the spelling conventions of the jurisdiction. American legal documents will typically use “judgment,” while British legal documents may use either spelling, but consistency is key.
Style Guides: Consult style guides (such as the AP Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style) for specific recommendations on spelling preferences.
The following table summarizes these usage rules:
| Region | Preferred Spelling | Acceptable Spelling | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American English | Judgment | N/A | “Judgment” is the standard spelling. |
| British English | Judgment | Judgement | “Judgment” is increasingly common; consistency is key. |
| Legal Documents (US) | Judgment | N/A | Follow US legal conventions. |
| Legal Documents (UK) | Judgment | Judgement | Follow UK legal conventions, maintain consistency. |
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using the “judgement” spelling in American English or inconsistently switching between the two spellings. Here are some examples of correct and incorrect usage:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The court issued its judgement. (American English) | The court issued its judgment. (American English) | “Judgment” is the standard spelling in American English. |
| His judgment was clouded by emotions. (British English, inconsistent) | His judgement was clouded by emotions. (British English, consistent) | Maintain consistency in British English. |
| Her judgement is always sound, showing great judgment. (Inconsistent) | Her judgment is always sound, showing great judgment. (Consistent) | Choose one spelling and stick with it. |
| The judge made a wise judgement call. (American English) | The judge made a wise judgment call. (American English) | “Judgment” is the standard spelling in American English. |
| I trust your judgement in this matter. (American English) | I trust your judgment in this matter. (American English) | “Judgment” is the standard spelling in American English. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the correct spelling (“judgment” or “judgement”) for each sentence, considering the context and regional variations.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Spelling
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. In my ____, the plan is flawed. (American English) | judgment |
| 2. The court delivered its ____. (British English, legal context) | judgement (or judgment, but be consistent) |
| 3. She showed excellent ____ in handling the crisis. (General usage) | judgment |
| 4. That was a poor ____ call. (General usage) | judgment |
| 5. I respect your ____ on this issue. (General usage) | judgment |
| 6. His ____ is always reliable. (General usage) | judgment |
| 7. The committee will make a ____ on the proposal. (British English) | judgement (or judgment, but be consistent) |
| 8. The success depends on sound ____. (General usage) | judgment |
| 9. The judge reserved ____ until the next hearing. (Legal context) | judgment |
| 10. It requires careful ____ to balance interests. (General usage) | judgment |
Exercise 2: Correct the Incorrect Spelling
Identify and correct the incorrect spelling of “judgment” or “judgement” in the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The American court issued its judgement. | The American court issued its judgment. |
| 2. His judgement in this matter is questionable, reflecting poor judgment. | His judgment in this matter is questionable, reflecting poor judgment. |
| 3. Use your best judgement, it’s a critical decision. | Use your best judgment, it’s a critical decision. |
| 4. The outcome reflects good judgement, showcasing sound judgement. (British English) | The outcome reflects good judgement, showcasing sound judgement. (Or judgment…judgment) |
| 5. In my judgement, the plan is fundamentally flawed. (American English) | In my judgment, the plan is fundamentally flawed. |
| 6. The judge reserved judgement until the next hearing. (American English legal document) | The judge reserved judgment until the next hearing. |
| 7. That was a lapse in judgement, showing a lack of good judgment. | That was a lapse in judgment, showing a lack of good judgment. |
| 8. Her judgement is always sound, demonstrating excellent judgement. (British English) | Her judgement is always sound, demonstrating excellent judgement. (Or judgment…judgment) |
| 9. The success of the project depends on sound judgement. (American English) | The success of the project depends on sound judgment. |
| 10. I trust your judgement on this issue, showing great judgment. | I trust your judgment on this issue, showing great judgment. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, it’s helpful to understand the etymology and historical context of “judgment” and “judgement.” The word comes from the Old French “jugement,” which itself derives from the Latin “judicium.” The spelling variation reflects a broader historical trend in English where some words of French or Latin origin have simplified spellings in American English compared to British English (e.g., “color” vs. “colour,” “center” vs.
“centre”).
Furthermore, the choice between “judgment” and “judgement” can sometimes carry subtle stylistic implications. While “judgment” is generally considered more modern and streamlined, “judgement” may be perceived as more traditional or formal.
However, these nuances are highly subjective and depend on the specific context and audience.
Also, consider usage in specific fields. For example, some academic disciplines might have a historical preference for “judgement,” even in American contexts.
Always consult relevant style guides and be aware of the conventions within your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the spelling of “judgment” and “judgement”:
- Is “judgement” wrong?
No, “judgement” is not inherently wrong. It is an accepted spelling in British English. However, “judgment” is also widely used and increasingly common in British English, making it a safe and often preferred choice.
- Which spelling should I use in American English?
In American English, you should always use “judgment” (without the ‘e’).
- Does the meaning change depending on the spelling?
No, the meaning of the word remains the same regardless of the spelling. The difference is purely orthographic (related to spelling).
- Is “judgment” becoming more common in British English?
Yes, “judgment” is becoming increasingly common in British English due to the influence of American English and the general trend toward simplification in spelling.
- What if I’m writing for an international audience?
If you’re writing for an international audience, “judgment” is generally a safer choice, as it is widely recognized and accepted in both American and British English.
- Should I use “judgement” in legal documents in the UK?
In UK legal documents, it’s best to follow the specific conventions of the court or legal institution. While “judgement” is acceptable, “judgment” is also common. Consistency is paramount.
- How can I remember which spelling to use?
A simple mnemonic is to associate “judgment” with American English (both start with “A”). For British English, remember that “judgement” has an extra ‘e,’ reflecting a slightly more elaborate spelling tradition.
- Are there other words with similar spelling variations?
Yes, many words of French or Latin origin have similar spelling variations between American and British English, such as “color/colour,” “center/centre,” “honor/honour,” and “license/licence.”
Conclusion
Mastering the spelling of “judgment” and “judgement” is a matter of understanding regional preferences and maintaining consistency. While “judgment” is the standard spelling in American English, “judgement” remains an accepted variant in British English, though “judgment” is increasingly common there as well.
By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can confidently choose the correct spelling in any context and avoid common mistakes.
Remember to consider your audience, the writing style guide (if applicable), and the overall tone of your writing. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to use “judgment” (or “judgement”) correctly and effectively, enhancing the clarity and credibility of your communication.
Always prioritize consistency and be mindful of the regional conventions that govern English spelling.