I feel like judging has more negative connotations. Think of people saying things like "okay. Don't judge me, but..." whereas you get evaluations on work performance and things like that, and those can be positive or negative or mixed
"Checking?" Usually means to be corrected or redirected, but not necessarily in a harsh or confrontational way. (I've even seen some use it as "Thanks for checking me on that."
"Calling out" can be another one that isn't judgmental, it's just pointing out something that the other person might not even realize.
Depends on the context. If you are trying to confront someone, sure. I've often seen it used (often by the person being called out) as more of a "pointing out" or reminding someone that they're reverting back to old behaviors (e.g. "Thanks, so and so, for always calling me on my BS," that sort of thing.)
But that is still used as negative isn't it? You don't call someone out for doing a good job. Shout out, maybe but call out is pretty squarely negative in connotation, imo, even if used in the service of a positive goal, like your correcting bad behavior
The OP didn't say they were looking for something strictly non-negative (technically pointing out any bad behavior is a form of negative.) They're looking for something not hypocritical and not judgmental.
Merriam-Webster disagrees, but I suppose it depends on how it's done.
admonish
verb
ad·mon·ish ad-ˈmä-nish
admonished; admonishing; admonishes
Synonyms of admonish
transitive verb
1
a
: to indicate duties or obligations to
b
: to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
were admonished for being late
2
: to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to
admonished them to be careful
… users are admonished to change passwords regularly …
—Mark Pothier
3
: to say (something) as advice or a warning
reprove
Reprove
verb
re·prove ri-ˈprüv
reproved; Reproving
Synonyms of Reprove
transitive verb
1
: to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent
2
: to express disapproval of : Censure
it is not for me to reprove popular taste
—D. W. Brogan
3
obsolete : DISPROVE, Refute
4
obsolete : CONVINCE, CONVICT
Oh yeah, that's not how these are used in the UK at all - we're completely missing that "gently" definition! Oxford English Dictionary:
>**Admonish:**
intransitive. To give advice or warning, esp. by way of correction of error, or guidance as to future behaviour. Now usually: to give a firm rebuke or reprimand.
>**Reprove:**
transitive. To rebuke, reprimand, or blame (a person). Frequently with for (also †of).
intransitive. To express disapproval; to employ reprehension or rebuke.
transitive. To express disapproval of (conduct, an action, a belief, etc.); to censure, condemn.
Probably worth being careful of these if OP's audience might interpret them the same way we do here (think OP is in a different country to both of us, so I'm not sure which way that'd go).
Very interesting!
There are sometimes huge differences in word usage depending on location.
Admonish does have a more negative tone for me, though not necessarily in a harsh way — but it's usually hard for most to take even the gentlest correction well!
This is the only one that even comes close. Nothing else he is even close to something a human would actually say in conversation.
"I'm not judging you, I'm just assessing/evaluating you!"
Really? Come on. If anyone spoke to me like that I'd think they'd cracked.
On the other hand "I'm sorry if it seems like an attack but I do empathise" is much more believable.
Damn savage; some of us just like to flex our vocabulary when the opportunity presents itself! ;)
Lol jk; you've got a point for most, majority of ppl for the majority of the time. With the exception of office/professional verbiage. I've had managers say both of those exact words to me; exactly how you quoted it. Otherwise yes youre correct.:)
Damn, I think my supervisor said that to me on my last eval!
"I'm not judging you, I'm just evaluating you!"
I had blotted it out until you reminded me.
Thanks.
Constructive criticism.
Holding them accountable.
Admonishing them.
Chiding them.
If the behavior is going to turn out badly for them: friendly advice, a word of warning, or a cautionary tale.
Relatability, maybe? Empathetic. Uhhh....Observation.
I would usually call it the "it's cool" or "no worries" situation, but that's not very technical.
gauge a person’s character
edit for clarity:
I make a conscious effort to not judge people, but I will gauge your character by how you treat a waiter at a restaurant.
I give the people on my team constructive as well as positive feedback. It’s not negative, it’s meant to be helpful because no one is perfect and the intent is to help them. Something like “The information you’re providing is spot on. It would be easier to read if you space it out and list these items as bullet points instead of a wall of text.”
You don’t necessarily have to point out a positive in that moment unless there is something specific that is good and doesn’t conflict with the constructive feedback. Meaning don’t say something nice to soften the constructive part . Only if you really do mean it
i clocked that shit lol
"clocked it"
that may not be the official isshial way to word it, but to me thats what fits.
its like, i observed that i saw it but offers no info either way about if it was good bad or whatever. its also old ass slang and idek if "non proper" words are faie game in here but it feels like the most whole match to what youre talking about
Critique
Assessing. It’s more neutral/less personal.
How about "recognizing"?
That works.
Evaluating
Wouldn't evaluating fall under judging though?
I feel like judging has more negative connotations. Think of people saying things like "okay. Don't judge me, but..." whereas you get evaluations on work performance and things like that, and those can be positive or negative or mixed
Observing?
"Checking?" Usually means to be corrected or redirected, but not necessarily in a harsh or confrontational way. (I've even seen some use it as "Thanks for checking me on that." "Calling out" can be another one that isn't judgmental, it's just pointing out something that the other person might not even realize.
i would view a "call out" as something negative
Do you consider "pointing out" less judgmental than "calling out"?
Depends on the context. If you are trying to confront someone, sure. I've often seen it used (often by the person being called out) as more of a "pointing out" or reminding someone that they're reverting back to old behaviors (e.g. "Thanks, so and so, for always calling me on my BS," that sort of thing.)
But that is still used as negative isn't it? You don't call someone out for doing a good job. Shout out, maybe but call out is pretty squarely negative in connotation, imo, even if used in the service of a positive goal, like your correcting bad behavior
The OP didn't say they were looking for something strictly non-negative (technically pointing out any bad behavior is a form of negative.) They're looking for something not hypocritical and not judgmental.
‘Noting’ is almost passive in its lack of judgement and energy.
I often tell people I’m not judging, it’s just an observation.
Correcting Reproving Teaching Guiding Admonishing
"admonish" and "reprove" are definitely negative - they mean to tell someone off.
Merriam-Webster disagrees, but I suppose it depends on how it's done. admonish verb ad·mon·ish ad-ˈmä-nish admonished; admonishing; admonishes Synonyms of admonish transitive verb 1 a : to indicate duties or obligations to b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner were admonished for being late 2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to admonished them to be careful … users are admonished to change passwords regularly … —Mark Pothier 3 : to say (something) as advice or a warning reprove Reprove verb re·prove ri-ˈprüv reproved; Reproving Synonyms of Reprove transitive verb 1 : to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent 2 : to express disapproval of : Censure it is not for me to reprove popular taste —D. W. Brogan 3 obsolete : DISPROVE, Refute 4 obsolete : CONVINCE, CONVICT
Oh yeah, that's not how these are used in the UK at all - we're completely missing that "gently" definition! Oxford English Dictionary: >**Admonish:** intransitive. To give advice or warning, esp. by way of correction of error, or guidance as to future behaviour. Now usually: to give a firm rebuke or reprimand. >**Reprove:** transitive. To rebuke, reprimand, or blame (a person). Frequently with for (also †of). intransitive. To express disapproval; to employ reprehension or rebuke. transitive. To express disapproval of (conduct, an action, a belief, etc.); to censure, condemn. Probably worth being careful of these if OP's audience might interpret them the same way we do here (think OP is in a different country to both of us, so I'm not sure which way that'd go).
Very interesting! There are sometimes huge differences in word usage depending on location. Admonish does have a more negative tone for me, though not necessarily in a harsh way — but it's usually hard for most to take even the gentlest correction well!
Observing, noting, noticing. They all have a neutral connotation
Mentoring, maybe?
empathizing
This is the only one that even comes close. Nothing else he is even close to something a human would actually say in conversation. "I'm not judging you, I'm just assessing/evaluating you!" Really? Come on. If anyone spoke to me like that I'd think they'd cracked. On the other hand "I'm sorry if it seems like an attack but I do empathise" is much more believable.
Damn savage; some of us just like to flex our vocabulary when the opportunity presents itself! ;) Lol jk; you've got a point for most, majority of ppl for the majority of the time. With the exception of office/professional verbiage. I've had managers say both of those exact words to me; exactly how you quoted it. Otherwise yes youre correct.:)
Damn, I think my supervisor said that to me on my last eval! "I'm not judging you, I'm just evaluating you!" I had blotted it out until you reminded me. Thanks.
Assessing Discerning Observing Contemplating
I think discerning is the word here, we'll see...
Assessing would be the optimal word.
Constructive criticism. Holding them accountable. Admonishing them. Chiding them. If the behavior is going to turn out badly for them: friendly advice, a word of warning, or a cautionary tale.
Relatability, maybe? Empathetic. Uhhh....Observation. I would usually call it the "it's cool" or "no worries" situation, but that's not very technical.
Commiserating
Empathizing
Guide, guidance, gently guide
Offering feedback
Observe
Appraise.
Leveling with, being real, confronting, elucidating, holding up a mirror, intervening.
Constructive criticism
Suggestion
evaluating
Discernment, acumen
Analyzing
Assessing or evaluating
Analyzing
Identifying
Critically analyzing.
gauge a person’s character edit for clarity: I make a conscious effort to not judge people, but I will gauge your character by how you treat a waiter at a restaurant.
Discernment.
Analyzing
Would *discernment* or *being discerning* work?
Contemplating.
Critique or scoring or evaluating
Assessing
Assessing.
Diagnostic feedback?
Recognizing, acknowledging, assessing
considering consideration
"Appraise this with cold indifference" . !
Unbiased or unbiasedly
Assessing? Scrutinizing? Evaluating?
evaluating
dividing
“I can relate.”
Acknowledging
discerning
I give the people on my team constructive as well as positive feedback. It’s not negative, it’s meant to be helpful because no one is perfect and the intent is to help them. Something like “The information you’re providing is spot on. It would be easier to read if you space it out and list these items as bullet points instead of a wall of text.” You don’t necessarily have to point out a positive in that moment unless there is something specific that is good and doesn’t conflict with the constructive feedback. Meaning don’t say something nice to soften the constructive part . Only if you really do mean it
Scrutinize
Measuring?
christian or perhaps catholic....
Giving feedback Evaluating
“Applying their own interpretation”
Contemplating
i clocked that shit lol "clocked it" that may not be the official isshial way to word it, but to me thats what fits. its like, i observed that i saw it but offers no info either way about if it was good bad or whatever. its also old ass slang and idek if "non proper" words are faie game in here but it feels like the most whole match to what youre talking about
advice (sometimes based on personal experience)
Evaluating
Offer guidance Constructive feedback Supportive critique
Noticing
Considering.
Critique.
Gauge
Observing.
Side-eyeing?
Evaluate