What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
potestative
Example
It is potestative for the employee to decide whether or not to take the day off. [potestative: adjective]
Example
The company's policy gives the manager potestative authority over hiring decisions. [potestative: noun]
discretionary
Example
The employee has discretionary power to approve or deny requests for time off. [discretionary: adjective]
Example
The company offers a discretionary bonus to employees who exceed their sales targets. [discretionary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discretionary is more commonly used than potestative in everyday language. Discretionary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while potestative is less common and typically used in legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between potestative and discretionary?
Potestative is more formal than discretionary. It is often used in legal or contractual contexts to describe specific rights or obligations, while discretionary is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
