is of questionable merit

USAGE SUMMARY

"is of questionable merit" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to suggest doubt or skepticism about the value or quality of something. Example sentence: The research paper's argument is of questionable merit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Though much of the artwork on display during our visit was of questionable merit, we wholeheartedly admired the soaring ceilings, arabesque balustrades and intricate plasterwork hiding behind the building's dim facade of chipped paint and boarded-over windows.

The New York Times - Travel

Despite having been rebuffed last year by Congress, the administration also stepped up its campaign to reduce pork-barrel spending, even singling out programs that it considered to be of questionable merit, like a $3 million renewable-energy project in Winona, Miss., and $2.25 million for "winter recreation opportunities" in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The New York Times

Methods used to project risks in low-Earth orbit are of questionable merit for exploration missions because of the limited radiobiology data and knowledge of galactic cosmic ray (GCR) heavy ions, which causes estimates of the risk of late effects to be highly uncertain.

Advances in Space Research

With the mid-term elections only a few months away, one suspects they will decline his advice.It is my understanding that the proposed House lawsuit is of questionable legal merit.

The Economist

I think the Health and Social Care Act is... of questionable merit.

The Guardian

The first method is of questionable value.

The Economist

Some of their production is of questionable value.

The New York Times

"But it is of questionable good safety...

Los Angeles Times

There are also concerns about whether Prime Ministerial patronage and Tory connections encouraged Britain's largest lottery distributor to award a grant that was, at best, of questionable merit.

Independent

While this could be looked at as a contribution of questionable merit, it is one that did not go unappreciated by real women who happily took to the streets in loose knickers made of sweatshirt fleece.

The New York Times - Style

However, due to a steady stream of corporate lobbying and campaign contributions, many tax extenders of questionable merit are passed without meaningful discussion or analysis of their success.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is of questionable merit", ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspect is being questioned. Be specific about the doubts surrounding its value, quality, or effectiveness to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "is of questionable merit" in overly formal writing where simpler and more direct phrasing might be more effective. Sometimes, "is doubtful" or "is unconvincing" can make your point more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of questionable merit" functions as a subject complement, modifying a subject by expressing doubt or uncertainty about its worth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for written English. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is of questionable merit" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express doubt or skepticism about the worth or quality of something. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase finds its place in various written contexts, especially in news, media and scientific domains. While alternatives like "is of dubious value" or "is debatable" exist, "is of questionable merit" remains a versatile choice for reasoned critical assessment. When using it, ensure clarity about what aspect is being questioned and be mindful of formality, potentially avoiding it in overly casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of dubious value

Replaces "questionable merit" with "dubious value", emphasizing uncertainty about worth.

is of doubtful quality

Substitutes "questionable merit" with "doubtful quality", focusing on the uncertainty of its caliber.

is of uncertain benefit

Replaces "questionable merit" with "uncertain benefit", highlighting the lack of clear advantages.

is open to doubt

This alternative simplifies the structure while retaining the core meaning of uncertainty.

is not above suspicion

Emphasizes that the subject is not free from being suspected or mistrusted.

is debatable

Indicates that the value or quality is subject to argument or dispute.

is not all it's cracked up to be

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest that something is less impressive than it appears.

lacks credibility

Directly addresses the lack of believability or trustworthiness.

is hardly impressive

This alternative conveys that something is not notable or striking.

doesn't hold up to scrutiny

Implies that something fails when examined closely.

FAQs

How can I use "is of questionable merit" in a sentence?

Use "is of questionable merit" to express doubts about the value or quality of something. For example, "The proposed solution "is of questionable merit" given the high costs involved."

What are some alternatives to "is of questionable merit"?

You can use alternatives like "is of dubious value", "is of doubtful quality", or "is debatable" to express similar skepticism.

Is there a difference between "is of questionable merit" and "is questionable"?

While both express doubt, "is of questionable merit" specifically questions the value or quality, whereas "is questionable" is a broader statement of doubt or uncertainty. For instance, a plan might be "of questionable merit", while a person's honesty might simply be "is questionable".

When is it appropriate to use "is of questionable merit" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to express a reasoned doubt or skepticism about the worth or effectiveness of something, particularly in academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. However, it may be too formal for casual conversation.