At Proofed, we’re often asked whether to use ‘judgement’ or ‘judgment’ in writing. But there isn’t a simple answer! It depends on preference, context, and dialect. So to help you avoid errors in your writing, we’ve prepared a short explainer of the spellings ‘judgement’ and ‘judgment’.
The noun ‘judgement’ usually means ‘decision’:
After some thought, he came to a judgement about what he should study.
It can also refer to the capacity to make decisions:
She always demonstrated good judgement over her career choices.
We could also use ‘judgment’ in the sentences above, but ‘judgement’ is the standard spelling for most contexts in British English. As such, we suggest including the extra ‘e’ as a default. This is a matter of preference, though, and both spellings are accepted in British English. Some style guides even prefer ‘judgment’, so remember to check yours if you have one!
There is one exception to the rule above in British English: legal writing.
If you’re referring to an official legal decision (e.g. the ruling of a judge), then, the standard spelling is ‘judgment’. For example:
The court passed down the judgment shortly after midday.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
Some people even use both spellings in a single document to distinguish between a legal decision (i.e. a judgment) and a non-legal decision or the capacity to make a decision (i.e. judgement). However, be very careful if you are going to do this, as it could easily become confusing for your reader!
In American English, the standard spelling of this word is always ‘judgment’:
After some thought, he came to a judgment about what he should study.
She always demonstrated good judgment over her career choices.
This applies in both legal and non-legal writing. Consequently, ‘judgement’ would usually be deemed an error in the US and you should avoid this spelling if writing for a North American audience.
This is a matter of preference most of the time in British English. You can use either ‘judgement’ or ‘judgment’ as long as you’re consistent! But remember:
And if you’d like any more help with spelling, or any element of your writing, why not submit a document for proofreading today?
Δ
3-minute read
Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...
2-minute read
If you’re writing about health issues, you might need to reference the Centers for Disease...
5-minute read
Introduction If you’re involved with ecommerce, you’re likely familiar with the often painstaking process of...
Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...
4-minute read
Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...
Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...