hard work merits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard work merits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that hard work deserves recognition, reward, or respect. Example: "In our company, we believe that hard work merits appreciation and acknowledgment from management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sandberg's book Lean In teaches women to be assertive at work and home, view "bossiness" as a virtue not a flaw, and ask for the responsibility and compensation their hard work merits.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So the well-off salve their consciences by assuring themselves that it is hard work and merit that brought them success, which also leads them to conclude that it is a lack of merit that keeps others from succeeding.

Los Angeles Times

Their group, if they and their friends are any indication, is attracting young professionals who want to see hard work and merit make their mark.

The Economist

He entered U.C.L.A. by the front door and earned his achievements through hard work and merit, he says: they squeaked by on white guilt and largesse.

The New York Times - Books

According to Jodi Kantor, the author of "The Obamas," Michelle and Barack shared an early conviction that the gap between the rich and the poor had less to do with hard work and merit than with "opportunity, power, access and wealth".

The New York Times

If these donors wish to help their children, they should begin by teaching them the value of hard work and merit, not how to buy one's way out of an underachieving high-school career.Noah SteinNew YorkSIR – Lexington avers that America's top universities "control access to the country's most impressive jobs".

The Economist

The only political contest that matters is now fought between competing management teams, dedicated to preserving what we in Britain have gained; gained, not necessarily through hard work or merit - even though there is and has been plenty of both - but by the historical accident that made us rich.

The Guardian - Opinion

As good ol' Americans, we wanted to make it on hard work and merit!

Huffington Post

Stories abound of how biased test results and measures, rather than hard work and merit, can give some an unfair advantage over others.

Huffington Post

"He kind of came to epitomize, if not exactly a rags-to- riches story, but more of how a person from a relatively humble background, out of sheer hard work and merit, could really rise to the top of the ladder," said Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a political commentator.

Huffington Post

Blair argues that as a result the citizens have a growing stake in their country's future and an increasing reason to believe that hard work and merit -- rather than political connections and favors -- will provide the ticket to a better life.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "hard work merits" with specific examples to strengthen your argument. For instance, "Their sustained commitment to the project merits special recognition at the annual company awards."

Common error

While "hard work merits" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "hard work pays off" or "they deserve it" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard work merits" primarily functions as a statement of deservingness or entitlement. It indicates that consistent effort warrants a specific reward or acknowledgement, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard work merits" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies that effort deserves recognition or reward. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is more frequently found in news and media contexts and may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Alternatives like "hard work deserves" or "hard work pays off" can be used depending on the specific context and desired tone. Remember that it's crucial to use this expression to recognize effort appropriately in any professional or personal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard work deserves

Replaces "merits" with a more common synonym, "deserves", maintaining the same core meaning.

hard work warrants

Substitutes "merits" with "warrants", indicating that hard work justifies or calls for a particular outcome.

hard work justifies

Emphasizes that the effort put in validates a particular result or recognition.

hard work earns

Focuses on the idea that effort leads to gaining or acquiring something, like recognition or success.

hard work pays off

A more idiomatic expression suggesting that effort ultimately leads to a positive outcome.

diligence is rewarded

Shifts the focus to the characteristic of diligence and its eventual positive consequence.

effort is deserving of

Rephrases to highlight that effort is worthy of something, typically recognition or praise.

dedication yields

Emphasizes that commitment produces a specific result or outcome.

industry begets

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying that hard work creates or produces a result.

toil begets reward

Uses "toil" to emphasize the labor involved, and "begets reward" to focus on positive consequences.

FAQs

What does "hard work merits" mean?

The phrase "hard work merits" means that diligent effort deserves or warrants a particular outcome, reward, or recognition. It suggests a direct relationship between effort and a positive consequence.

How can I use "hard work merits" in a sentence?

You can use "hard work merits" to express that someone's dedication should be acknowledged. For example, "The team's consistent performance merits a substantial bonus", or "Her unwavering commitment to the project merits a promotion".

What can I say instead of "hard work merits"?

You can use alternatives like "hard work deserves", "hard work warrants", or "hard work pays off" depending on the context.

Is "hard work merits" formal or informal?

"Hard work merits" is considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, phrases like "hard work pays off" or "they deserve it" may be more appropriate.