degree of merit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degree of merit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the level of quality, value, or worthiness of something, often in a comparative context. Example: "The degree of merit of each candidate will be evaluated based on their qualifications and experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As concerns go, it's one which has a fair degree of merit to it.

The Guardian

His grace (love toward creatures independent of their degree of merit) will leave him free to create any world that has creatures able to do moral good or evil, regardless of how good or bad they may be in that world.

SEP

So, by virtue of his grace, either God would love all persons to an equal degree or the fact that he might love one person more than another would have nothing to do with the fact that the one has a greater degree of merit or excellence than another.

SEP

Companions of the Order of Canada (post-nominals: CC, in ) have demonstrated the highest degree of merit to Canada and humanity, on either the national or international scene.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We've had a couple of programs of varying degrees of merit that have been seen as certainly unorthodox," the official said.

The New York Times

"We've had a couple of programs of varying degrees of merit that have been seen as certainly as unorthodox," the defense official said today.

The New York Times

After being awarded the MPhil degree, students of merit may be appointed as Teaching Fellows to teach in the undergraduate Core Curriculum, which involves a highly organized training program and unusual independence as teachers in a small seminar setting.

Columbia University

You have got to pity those students who have to persevere with that garbage in order to get a degree of questionable merit".

The Guardian

He argued instead that the book was tasteful and possessed a high degree of literary merit.

Wikipedia

58 Similarly, time taken to walk pain free (more or less than 1 day) has been noted to have a degree of prognostic merit for hamstring injuries, 59 and active range of knee joint extension has been correlated with hamstring injury severity and reinjury risk.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Swanton's point is that the only explanation the monist has is that different degrees of value merit different responses.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "degree of merit", ensure the context clearly defines what criteria are being used to assess the merit. This provides clarity and strengthens the argument or evaluation.

Common error

Avoid using "degree of merit" in informal contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. It's generally best suited for formal evaluations, academic discussions, or official recognitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degree of merit" functions as a noun phrase that signifies the extent or level to which something is worthy, valuable, or excellent. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is often used in comparative contexts to evaluate different entities or programs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "degree of merit" is a phrase used to describe the extent to which something is worthy or excellent. While grammatically correct, its usage is more common in formal contexts such as news, science, and academia, as indicated by Ludwig. It serves the purpose of assessing and communicating the relative value or quality of something. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "level of excellence" or "extent of worthiness" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

level of excellence

Focuses on the superior quality rather than just general worth.

extent of worthiness

Highlights the deserving nature or value associated with something.

magnitude of value

Emphasizes the size or importance of the value.

scale of achievement

Relates more specifically to accomplishments and their ranking.

grade of quality

Implies a specific rating or classification of quality.

measure of distinction

Focuses on the unique or outstanding qualities.

standard of goodness

Emphasizes the moral or ethical value.

depth of talent

Relates specifically to inherent abilities and their intensity.

degree of importance

Focuses on how critical or essential something is considered.

level of competence

Addresses the ability to perform a task effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "degree of merit" in a sentence?

You can use "degree of merit" to describe the level of worthiness or excellence something possesses. For example, "The candidates were judged based on their "degree of merit" and experience".

What are some alternatives to "degree of merit"?

Alternatives include "level of excellence", "extent of worthiness", or "magnitude of value", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "degree of merit" or "level of competence"?

"Degree of merit" generally refers to overall worth or excellence, while "level of competence" focuses specifically on the ability to perform a task effectively. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

In what contexts is "degree of merit" most commonly used?

"Degree of merit" is frequently used in formal evaluations, academic discussions, and when describing awards or recognitions. It is suited for contexts where assessing worth or quality is crucial.