In 15 Seconds
- Subject to someone else's judgment or evaluation.
- Common in professional, legal, or academic contexts.
- Implies trusting an expert's subjective opinion.
Meaning
This phrase describes something that is not yet decided and depends entirely on someone else's judgment or evaluation.
Key Examples
3 of 7Submitting a report to a manager
Je laisse ce dossier sous l'appréciation du directeur.
I am leaving this file to the director's discretion.
Asking a friend about a new outfit
Je soumets mon nouveau style sous ton appréciation.
I'm submitting my new style to your judgment.
Texting a colleague about a draft
Le brouillon est sous l'appréciation de l'équipe.
The draft is currently being reviewed by the team.
Cultural Background
In French administration, 'l'appréciation' is a tool of power. Officials often have a 'marge d'appréciation' which allows them to be flexible with rules, reflecting a culture that values human judgment over rigid algorithms. In Quebec, the phrase is also common in legal and professional settings, though it competes more with English-influenced terms like 'à la discrétion de'. Belgian French uses this phrase frequently in its complex federal bureaucracy, especially when dealing with linguistic or regional compromises. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, formal French is often very 'soutenu' (high-register). This phrase is common in official speeches and news broadcasts.
Use it in emails
To sound very professional when you don't have an answer, say: 'Cette question reste sous l'appréciation de mon responsable.'
Don't say 'mon appréciation'
While grammatically correct, it sounds arrogant. Use 'à mon avis' for your own opinion.
In 15 Seconds
- Subject to someone else's judgment or evaluation.
- Common in professional, legal, or academic contexts.
- Implies trusting an expert's subjective opinion.
What It Means
Imagine you have just finished a big project. You hand it over to your boss. You cannot decide if it is good yet. That decision is sous l'appréciation of your manager. It means the final verdict belongs to someone else. It is about subjective judgment rather than hard facts. In English, we might say it is 'at the discretion' of someone. It implies a sense of waiting for a grade or a review.
How To Use It
You will usually see this phrase paired with specific verbs. Use laisser (to leave) or soumettre (to submit). For example, you might leave a decision sous l'appréciation of a judge. It acts like a bridge between an action and a judgment. You are essentially saying, 'I have done my part, now you decide.' Use it when you want to show respect for someone's expertise. It sounds professional and quite polished in conversation.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for professional settings. Use it during a job performance review. It works well in academic contexts when discussing a thesis. You can even use it at a restaurant. Perhaps you ask the sommelier to choose a wine sous son appréciation. It shows you trust their taste. It is also common in legal or administrative documents. Use it whenever a human opinion is the final step in a process.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for objective facts. You would not say the temperature is sous l'appréciation of the thermometer. That sounds silly. It is only for things that are open to debate. Avoid using it in very casual slang-heavy settings. Your friends might think you are acting too formal. Do not use it if the decision is already made. It is a phrase for the 'waiting' period of judgment.
Cultural Background
France has a deep history of centralized authority and expert panels. From the 'Grandes Écoles' to the 'Académie Française', judgment is a national pastime. This phrase reflects a culture that values the 'eye' of the expert. In French law, the 'pouvoir d'appréciation' gives judges freedom to interpret facts. It shows a cultural respect for nuance over rigid, black-and-white rules. It is about the human element in decision-making.
Common Variations
You might hear à l'appréciation de which is very similar. This version is often used for things like tips in a taxi. Another variation is soumis à l'appréciation. This sounds a bit more formal and heavy. If you want to be simpler, you can say selon l'avis de. However, sous l'appréciation carries a more elegant, official weight. Use the variations depending on how much 'authority' you want to grant the other person.
Usage Notes
This is a high-level B2 phrase. It is primarily formal and neutral. Be careful not to confuse it with the English meaning of gratitude.
Use it in emails
To sound very professional when you don't have an answer, say: 'Cette question reste sous l'appréciation de mon responsable.'
Don't say 'mon appréciation'
While grammatically correct, it sounds arrogant. Use 'à mon avis' for your own opinion.
The 'Souveraine' touch
In legal contexts, adding 'souveraine' after 'appréciation' makes you sound like a native French lawyer.
Examples
7Je laisse ce dossier sous l'appréciation du directeur.
I am leaving this file to the director's discretion.
This shows professional respect for the boss's final word.
Je soumets mon nouveau style sous ton appréciation.
I'm submitting my new style to your judgment.
A slightly playful way to ask for a fashion opinion.
Le brouillon est sous l'appréciation de l'équipe.
The draft is currently being reviewed by the team.
Useful for indicating that a project is in the review phase.
Le sel est laissé sous l'appréciation du client.
The salt is left to the customer's taste.
Common in culinary contexts where the diner decides the seasoning.
La peine est laissée sous l'appréciation du juge.
The sentence is left to the judge's discretion.
Very formal and standard legal terminology.
La propreté de ma chambre est sous l'appréciation de ma mère.
The cleanliness of my room is subject to my mother's evaluation.
Using formal language for a mundane domestic conflict.
Ma proposition reste sous l'appréciation de mon conjoint.
My proposal remains subject to my partner's consideration.
Shows that a personal decision is not yet finalized.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Le montant de la prime est laissé _______ de la direction.
We need the feminine noun 'appréciation' with the elided article 'l''.
Which sentence uses the phrase in a correct formal context?
Select the correct sentence:
This is a standard legal use of the phrase. The others are either literal translations from English or nonsensical.
Match the situation with the appropriate formal phrase.
Match the following:
'Souveraine' is specifically used for judges in French law.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Employé : Est-ce que mon projet sera accepté ? Manager : Je ne peux pas vous le dire, c'est _______ du grand patron.
The manager is saying the decision depends on the boss's judgment.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe montant de la prime est laissé _______ de la direction.
We need the feminine noun 'appréciation' with the elided article 'l''.
Select the correct sentence:
This is a standard legal use of the phrase. The others are either literal translations from English or nonsensical.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Souveraine' is specifically used for judges in French law.
Employé : Est-ce que mon projet sera accepté ? Manager : Je ne peux pas vous le dire, c'est _______ du grand patron.
The manager is saying the decision depends on the boss's judgment.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsBoth are used. 'À l'appréciation' is more common in modern business, while 'Sous l'appréciation' is more traditional and formal.
Yes, but it's very formal. 'La cuisson est sous l'appréciation du chef' (The cooking is up to the chef's judgment).
Not necessarily. It just means you are being evaluated. The result could be positive or negative.
Yes, always. 'Une appréciation', 'l'appréciation'.
Do NOT use this phrase. Say 'Je t'apprécie beaucoup' (I like/value you) or 'Je te suis reconnaissant'.
Related Phrases
À la discrétion de
synonymAt the freedom of choice of...
Sous réserve de
similarSubject to...
Au jugement de
similarIn the judgment of...
S'en remettre à
builds onTo defer to...
