be merited

USAGE SUMMARY

"be merited" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about something that has been earned or deserved as a result of effort, skill, or other qualities. For example, "He worked hard and the recognition he received was well merited."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Some will be merited; some not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Innovation of ideas on managing innovation projects may be merited.

Long Range Planning

But can't symbolic actions be merited for moral crusades?

The New York Times

That's when more serious steps could be merited.

The New York Times

Additional scrutiny and inquiries regarding compliance might be merited where inconsistencies are apparent.

Harvard University

The elegiac tone, the nostalgia — they don't seem to be merited by anything we're reading.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Return visits are merited.

The New York Times - Arts

I hope it was merited.

The New Yorker

Their opportunity was merited.

The Guardian - Sport

Such claims are merited.

Cornell University

Statistics suggest her fears are merited.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be merited" when you want to emphasize that something deserves a particular outcome or response, based on its qualities or actions. For instance, "The project's success meant that the team's efforts were rightly merited with bonuses."

Common error

Avoid using "be merited" when you simply mean something is necessary or officially approved. "Warranted" implies authorization or necessity, whereas "merited" implies deserving something due to its inherent value or actions. For example, scrutiny might be warranted due to inconsistencies, but praise might be merited due to outstanding achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be merited" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something is worthy of or deserves a particular response or outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be merited" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something deserves a particular response or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common in formal writing. The examples illustrate its application across scientific, news, and academic domains. When considering related phrases, remember that "be warranted" emphasizes authorization, while "be deserved" focuses on earning through action. Ultimately, "be merited" offers a nuanced way to express that something's qualities or actions justify a specific reaction or consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be justified

Indicates that something is shown to be right or reasonable; focuses on justification rather than inherent worth.

be warranted

Suggests that something is officially approved or reasonably called for; emphasizes authorization or necessity.

be deserved

Highlights that something is rightly earned due to actions or qualities; focuses on earning through actions.

be entitled

Implies a legal or moral right to something; emphasizes having a claim or right.

be called for

Indicates that something is appropriate or necessary in a particular situation; emphasizes situational appropriateness.

be vindicated

Suggests that something is cleared of blame or suspicion; focuses on proving something to be correct after doubt.

be condign

Means that something is deservedly severe or suitable as a punishment; refers specifically to punishment or retribution.

be justified in doing

Refers to having good reason or cause to take a particular action.

be deemed worthy

Indicates that something is considered to have sufficient merit or value.

be commensurate

Highlights that something is proportional or appropriate in scale or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "be merited" in a sentence?

You can use "be merited" to express that something deserves a certain response or outcome due to its qualities or actions. For example: "The team's hard work be merited recognition from the company."

What are some alternatives to "be merited"?

Alternatives to "be merited" include "be justified", "be deserved", or "be warranted", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "be merited" or "be deserved"?

"Be merited" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "be deserved". While both convey the idea of something being worthy of a response, "be merited" is often used in more academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "be warranted" and "be merited"?

"Be warranted" implies that something is justified or officially approved. "Be merited" implies that something deserves a certain outcome based on its qualities or actions. For instance, "Additional scrutiny might "be warranted" due to inconsistencies, but praise might be merited due to outstanding achievements."