lack of merits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of merits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something does not have sufficient value, quality, or justification. Example: "The proposal was rejected due to a lack of merits in its arguments and evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One is to focus strictly on the merits, or lack of merits, for the most well-known provisions.

Huffington Post

An obvious exception is spamming or flaming, in which case, either remove the comment (spam) as soon as possible, or let it stand on its own lack of merits (flaming) unless you have a witty and kind response.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Ryan's plan lost because of a lack of merit.

The New York Times

"But by boycotting the Parliament or the government, they are showing in fact their lack of merit and sincerity".

The New York Times

Maybe her sons had failed not for lack of merit but because they were unable to overcome the disadvantage of an unsteadiness inherited from their father.

The New Yorker

This reads arrogant but he's surely being tongue in cheek, as is Mick Jagger, who's also weighed in on the lack of merit to the Pythons.

The Guardian

"This may be attributable to injustices in the system, or lack of merit or proof of the alleged wrongdoing," Professor Thornton said.

The New York Times

Unlike Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who warned that minority students admitted under admissions policies that take race into account would suffer the stigma of a perceived lack of merit, few are outright opponents of affirmative action.

The New York Times

Nestled snugly among the powerful, many of us are tempted to assert that the best always rise to the top -- and that those who do not reach the apex themselves are held back by lack of merit alone.

The New York Times

He went on to rubbish the idea of a "smoking gun" and said that the special clause was "to protect itself against exactly the kind of meritless claims Norex is bringing".. Privately BP executives dismissed the Norex documents as old material and pointed to previous failed attempts to bring legal action in the US against TNK as proof of their lack of merit.

The Guardian - Business

But as he became more radical, his stature was chipped away by pygmies -- first the Carnegie and Rockefeller Foundations, which refused to finance his proposed Encyclopedia of the Negro, not because of its lack of merit but because its boards considered Du Bois not "objective" and too controversial.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of merits", ensure the context clearly identifies what specific qualities or justifications are missing. For example, "The proposal was rejected due to a "lack of merits" in its financial projections and market analysis."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "lack of merits" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like "not good enough" or "flawed" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of merits" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes the absence of positive qualities or justifications. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lack of merits" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the absence of positive qualities, value, or justification. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for written English. While versatile, it's particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific contexts. When aiming for precision, use "lack of merits" to highlight specific missing attributes; otherwise, consider "lack of merit" for general deficiencies. To avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings, opt for simpler alternatives. Understanding these nuances will allow you to effectively use "lack of merits" in your writing and speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of justification

This indicates that there are no valid reasons or support for something.

inadequate justification

Similar to the above, but emphasizes the reasons or support provided are not good enough.

deficiency in worth

This phrase emphasizes the inadequacy of value or merit.

insufficient justification

This conveys that there's some reason but it doesn't cover all that is required.

absence of value

This alternative directly states the absence of worth or importance.

shortcomings in quality

This suggests flaws or defects in the overall quality.

want of substance

This phrase suggests a deficiency in the essential qualities or content.

paucity of virtues

This alternative highlights a scarcity of positive attributes.

scarcity of redeeming qualities

Highlights that almost everything is wrong but something is right.

poor quality

This describes something being badly made or of a low standard.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of merits" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of merits" to describe something that does not have sufficient value, quality, or justification. For example, "The application was rejected due to a "lack of merits" in the candidate's experience."

What are some alternatives to "lack of merits"?

Some alternatives include "absence of value", "want of substance", or "deficiency in worth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "lack of merit" or "lack of merits"?

"Lack of merit" is generally used when referring to merit in a general or abstract sense. "Lack of merits" is more appropriate when referring to specific, identifiable merits that are absent.

What's the difference between "lack of merits" and "insufficient merits"?

"Lack of merits" implies a complete absence of positive qualities or justification, whereas "insufficient merits" suggests that some merits exist, but they are inadequate or not strong enough.