deserve

USAGE SUMMARY

'deserve' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone or something is worthy or entitled to a certain treatment, attitude, privilege, reward, etc. Example sentence: She worked hard all year and she deserves a chance to prove herself.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.

The Guardian

"This woman is nothing more than an attention seeker who does not deserve to be a celebrity".

The Guardian

She does not deserve it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just to insure that shirkers get what they deserve, we are prepared to make ourselves poorer.

The Economist

"I want to be worthy of Ukrainians who have proved to be a very strong nation that deserve a better future in Europe".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There could be no arguing with the result, nor with the fact that Ipswich deserve praise for making Norwich work so hard for it.

The Guardian - Sport

Another interviewee meanwhile says: "We give out awards to black people when they deserve them, just like any other group".

The Guardian - Film

Neither side did enough to deserve all three points but Saints continue their quest for a European spot.

The Guardian - Sport

"If we don't do our job we deserve to go down.

The Guardian - Sport

If you want to stand out from the crowd and prove that you deserve that promotion/pay rise/investment then you have to stand up for yourself so that you can be heard over the noise.

The Guardian

This civic-mindedness has never been allowed to recover, due in large part to the loyalist paramilitaries who demonstrated the other night in east Belfast that they are not yet ready to allow their communities the emancipation they truly deserve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deserve" to clearly indicate that someone or something has earned or is worthy of a particular outcome or treatment. For example: "After all that hard work, they "deserve" a vacation."

Common error

Avoid using "deserve" to express entitlement without justification. For instance, saying "I "deserve" a promotion simply because I've been here longer" is weaker than "I "deserve" a promotion because I've consistently exceeded expectations."

Linguistic Context

The verb "deserve" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring an object to complete its meaning. It asserts that a subject is worthy of something, based on actions, qualities, or circumstances, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "deserve" is a common transitive verb used to express that someone or something is worthy or entitled to something, typically based on their actions or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. Its versatility allows it to appear in neutral, professional, and sometimes formal registers. While often used in news, sports, and opinion pieces, it's important to avoid misusing it to express unrealistic expectations. Consider synonyms like "merit", "warrant", or "be entitled to" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merit

Implies earning something through actions or qualities, slightly more formal.

be deserving of

Synonymous but puts slightly more emphasis on the moral right of the subject.

warrant

Suggests justification or reason for something, often used in formal contexts.

be entitled to

Indicates a legal or moral right to something, emphasizing the legitimacy of the claim.

be worthy of

Highlights the positive qualities that make someone or something deserving.

earn

Focuses on the effort or achievement that justifies receiving something.

have a right to

Emphasizes the inherent or granted privilege to possess or experience something.

be justified in

Suggests that an action or belief is reasonable or defensible.

be due

Indicates that something is owed or expected as a result of circumstances or actions.

have earned

Past tense emphasizing the completion of actions that justify reward.

FAQs

How to use "deserve" in a sentence?

Use "deserve" to indicate that someone or something is worthy of or entitled to something, usually as a result of their actions or qualities. For example, "They "deserve" recognition for their contributions."

What can I say instead of "deserve"?

You can use alternatives like "merit", "warrant", or "be entitled to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "deserve" or "deserves"?

"Deserve" is the base form of the verb, used with plural subjects or the pronouns I, you, we, and they. "Deserves" is the third-person singular form, used with he, she, and it. For example, "They "deserve" it" vs "She "deserves" it".

What's the difference between "deserve" and "need"?

"Deserve" implies a moral or earned right to something, while "need" simply indicates a requirement. Someone might "need" help, but only "deserve" it if they've acted in a way that warrants assistance.