Clear merits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Clear merits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the obvious advantages or benefits of something in a straightforward manner. Example: "The proposal has clear merits that should be considered before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But testing combinations quickly has clear merits.

The Economist

This has developed, or regressed, into a race where going backwards the slowest has its clear merits.

The Guardian - Sport

Alexander Kemp, a professor of petroleum economics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, said that the Ineos plan had "clear merits".

The New York Times

"These opportunities are challenging as a standalone public company, and there are clear merits to exploring a path to take the company private in order to maximize the company's long-term performance, deliver superior value to all stockholders, and bolster a critical contributor to American technology".

TechCrunch

First, none of these arguments applies to disability insurance for which there are more clear merits.

Huffington Post

While there are clear merits to this idea, one might worry that the haplotype segments of non-African ancestry would pose problems for imputation.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It has a clear, merit-based career structure, and presidential encouragement.

The Economist

Unlike the preposterous Champions Series, to which it ostensibly provides a climax, there is clear merit in the showcase card inaugurated at Ascot last year.

Independent

The man from Worksop has never been the type to shout and bawl but a record of nine Ryder Cup playing appearances has clear merit.

The Guardian - Sport

On hard, fast grounds the selection of Justin Tipuric has clear merit, leaving Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, Kelly Brown, Ryan Jones and Peter O'Mahony all potentially scrapping over the last back-row place.

The Guardian - Sport

The Scottish government's Fiscal Commission, in October 2013, said there was "clear merit" in an independent Scotland setting up two oil funds - a short-term "stabilisation" fund to buffer the effects of volatility in the oil market, and a long-term savings fund to ensure future generations benefited from the wealth.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear merits" to concisely emphasize the easily recognizable benefits or advantages of a proposal, strategy, or decision. This phrase is particularly effective in persuasive writing or presentations where you need to quickly highlight positive aspects.

Common error

While "clear merits" is generally appropriate, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "good points" or "obvious benefits" might be more suitable in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear merits" functions as a noun phrase, where "clear" modifies the noun "merits". As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to denote advantages or positive qualities that are easily recognized or apparent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear merits" is a concise and effective way to highlight easily recognizable advantages or benefits. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While simpler alternatives may be suitable for informal settings, "clear merits" offers a professional tone for persuasive or informative writing. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize the positive aspects of a subject, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obvious advantages

Replaces "merits" with a more general term for benefits, focusing on the apparent nature of the advantages.

Evident benefits

Similar to "obvious advantages", but uses "evident" to emphasize the clear and unmistakable nature of the benefits.

Readily apparent benefits

Emphasizes the ease with which the benefits can be seen and understood.

Distinct advantages

Highlights the unique and easily recognizable nature of the advantages.

Apparent upsides

Uses a more informal term, "upsides", while maintaining the sense of clarity.

Self-evident advantages

Indicates that the advantages are so clear that they require no explanation.

Notable strengths

Focuses on the positive attributes and their prominence.

Recognizable virtues

Emphasizes the positive qualities that are easily identified.

Undeniable positives

Highlights the irrefutable and favorable aspects.

Tangible benefits

Focuses on benefits that are concrete and easily measured or perceived.

FAQs

How can I use "clear merits" in a sentence?

You can use "clear merits" to highlight the obvious advantages of something. For example, "The proposal has "clear merits" that should be considered before making a final decision."

What are some alternatives to "clear merits"?

Alternatives include "obvious advantages", "evident benefits", or "distinct advantages", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clear merits" formal or informal?

"Clear merits" leans towards the more formal side but is suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. For more casual situations, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What's the difference between "clear merits" and "obvious advantages"?

While similar, "clear merits" suggests a more inherent quality or value, whereas "obvious advantages" simply points out benefits that are easily seen or understood. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the inherent value or the ease of recognition.