does not merit

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not merit" is a perfectly correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to imply that something is not worthy or deserving of something else. For example, "This poor behavior does not merit a reward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He does not merit re-election.

The Economist

If Ms. Boudin does not merit parole, who does?

The New York Times

However, the commission's staff has determined that St . Vincentdoes not merit a formal public hearing.

The New York Times

"The Italy that works and does its duty does not merit this," he concluded.

The New York Times

But science of the eugenic era does not merit any such blanket absolution.

The New York Times - Books

"A country with this record does not merit a leadership role," he said.

The New York Times

Under sharia, he says, embezzlement does not merit severe punishments like amputation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Someone truly contemptible does not merit the energy that stronger emotions require.

The Guardian - Books

A plain vanilla binding that does not merit a second glance.

The New York Times

But a flicker in Colin's eyes suggests he knows the comment does not merit the reaction.

The Guardian - Film

Experts say the published science on this issue does not merit such panic, at least not yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not merit" to express that something is not worthy of attention, reward, or consideration due to its lack of value or quality. For example, "The student's disruptive behavior "does not merit" special treatment."

Common error

Avoid using "merit" as a verb when you intend to convey that something is undeserving. "Does not merit" is the correct construction. For example, instead of saying "His effort merits no praise", say "His effort "does not merit" praise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not merit" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing a judgment that something is not worthy or deserving of a particular action, consideration, or outcome. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not merit" is a frequently used phrase that indicates something is unworthy or undeserving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing most commonly in news and media, and science contexts. When writing, remember to use "does not merit" to express that something lacks the qualities necessary to warrant attention, reward, or any other particular response. Be mindful of the subtle distinction between "merit" as a verb and its function in the phrase "does not merit". Alternatives like "is not worthy of" or "does not warrant" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not worthy of

Emphasizes the lack of worthiness.

is not deserving of

Highlights the absence of entitlement.

is undeserving of

Directly states the lack of deserving quality.

does not warrant

Focuses on the lack of justification for something.

is not entitled to

Stresses the absence of a right to something.

is not justified by

Highlights the lack of rationale.

is not good enough for

Indicates a deficiency in quality or suitability.

fails to deserve

Emphasizes the failure to earn something.

is ineligible for

Highlights the unsuitability for something, focusing on requirements.

is not qualified for

Indicates a lack of necessary qualifications.

FAQs

How can I use "does not merit" in a sentence?

Use "does not merit" to indicate that something is not worthy or deserving of a particular outcome or response. For instance, "Such conduct "does not merit" a reward."

What's a formal way to say "does not merit"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is not worthy of" or "does not warrant" as alternatives to "does not merit". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it ever appropriate to use "deserves" instead of "merits"?

While "deserves" and "merits" can sometimes be interchangeable, "merits" often implies a more formal or official judgment of worth. In many cases, "is not deserving of" may be used instead of "does not merit", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

What are some common situations where I might use the phrase "does not merit"?

You might use "does not merit" when discussing performance reviews (e.g., "The employee's performance "does not merit" a promotion"), evaluating proposals (e.g., "This proposal "does not merit" funding"), or judging actions (e.g., "His behavior "does not merit" forgiveness").