have merit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have merit" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has value or is worth considering. Example: "The proposal presented by the committee may have merit, but we still need to carefully evaluate its potential impact." In this sentence, "have merit" is used to convey that the proposal is worth considering, but further analysis is necessary to determine its effectiveness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Does it have merit?

The New York Times

Both proposals have merit.

The Economist

These arguments often have merit.

The New York Times

Other individual performances have merit.

Independent

These criticisms have merit.

The New Yorker

The worries proved to have merit.

The New York Times - Sports

Individually, many of the proposals have merit.

The New York Times

These defenses may have merit.

The New Yorker

Did Stern's arguments have merit?

The New York Times - Sports

In peacetime, this argument may have merit.

The Economist

Some of these points have merit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have merit" when you want to express that something deserves consideration or has some value, even if you don't fully agree with it.

Common error

Avoid using "have merit" as a default positive assessment. Always follow up with a brief explanation of why something has merit to showcase your understanding and avoid vague statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have merit" functions as a verb phrase used to express that something possesses value or worth considering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in evaluating proposals, arguments, and performances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have merit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something possesses value or is worthy of consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and versatile. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, it serves to acknowledge validity or potential, often offering a balanced viewpoint. While alternatives like "be worthy of consideration" and "possess value" exist, "have merit" remains a common and effective choice. Remember to use it thoughtfully, backing up your assessment with supporting reasoning to avoid superficial evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be worthy of consideration

This alternative emphasizes that something deserves to be considered or thought about.

possess value

This phrase highlights the inherent worth or usefulness of something.

hold validity

This suggests that something is sound, justified, or based on solid reasoning.

be of some worth

Indicates that something has a certain degree of value or importance.

warrant attention

This means something is important enough to be noticed or given attention.

justify consideration

Suggests that something provides a reason to be considered or examined.

be deserving of recognition

Highlights that something should be acknowledged or appreciated for its qualities.

contain advantages

This alternative points to the benefits or positive aspects of something.

offer potential

Focuses on the possibility of future value or success.

have strengths

Highlights the positive qualities or strong points of something.

FAQs

How can I use "have merit" in a sentence?

You can use "have merit" to indicate that an idea, argument, or suggestion has value or deserves consideration. For example, "Although I disagree with some aspects of the plan, the core concept does "have merit"".

What are some alternatives to saying "have merit"?

Instead of "have merit", consider using phrases like "be worthy of consideration", "possess value", or "hold validity" to express a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "have merit"?

It is appropriate to use "have merit" when you want to acknowledge the positive aspects of something without necessarily endorsing it completely. It's useful for expressing a balanced viewpoint.

Is it better to say something 'has merit' or 'is meritorious'?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""have merit"" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in contemporary English. "Is meritorious" is more formal and less frequent.