merit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the value, worth, or quality of something, often in the context of evaluating performance or qualifications. Example: "Her application was impressive, and I believe she deserves to be considered on her own merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're going to express solutions and policy ideas that we think have merit.

The Guardian - Business

"Huma represents what is best about America – the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.

The Guardian

In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons' interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on "merit".

The Guardian

McIntyre said that during legal challenges against the tapes handover Boston-based judge William Young, who read all the relevant interviews, described the project as a "bona fide academic exercise of considerable intellectual merit".

The Guardian

But he returned again and again to the posed naked figure, male and female – the ultimate test and validation, so the critic Robert Hughes has stated, of any artist's merit and painterly ability.

The Guardian - Arts

Only their most fanatical followers would make any claim to merit on behalf of a winning team who were clearly second-best in everything except the matter of producing a legitimate goal.

The Guardian - Sport

In the UK, a Spectator blog by Nick Cohen "said everything I would wish to say better than I could say it", wrote Rushdie in retweeting a link; and Jo Glanville, director of English PEN, argued that the works at issue in historical "free speech battles" had often been offensive or of "no merit".

The Guardian - Books

Robinson insisted that Knox was hired on merit rather than notoriety.

The Guardian

His parents were teachers, and he seemed born to exert diligence and acquire merit.

The Guardian

I'm sure my Twitter followers are intelligent enough to judge the content on its own merit.

The Guardian - Opinion

A fortnight after publicly conceding the title, having already lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid, they found themselves back in it through no merit of their own.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merit", ensure the context clearly indicates what quality or characteristic is being assessed. For example, specify 'based on academic merit' instead of simply 'based on merit'.

Common error

Avoid using "merit" in overly general statements without specifying the criteria for evaluation. Instead of saying 'the plan has merit', clarify by stating 'the plan has merit due to its cost-effectiveness and scalability'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "merit" is as a noun, denoting a quality deserving praise or recognition. It also functions as a transitive verb, meaning to deserve or warrant. Ludwig confirms that the term is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Business

10%

Politics

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "merit" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb, predominantly used to signify deservingness and value. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically sound and suitable across diverse contexts. While frequently found in news, sports, and opinion pieces, it maintains a neutral to formal register, making it ideal for professional and academic discourse. To ensure precision, specify the criteria when assessing "merit". Remember, vague use diminishes its impact. Based on the analysis, "merit" is a strong and reliable word for expressing value and recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserving quality

Emphasizes the quality that makes something worthy.

worthy trait

A characteristic that is commendable and valuable.

intrinsic value

Focuses on the inherent worth or quality of something.

inherent worth

Similar to intrinsic value, highlighting the value existing within.

creditable aspect

Highlights an aspect that deserves recognition or praise.

real value

Emphasizes the actual worth, often in a practical sense.

excellence

Refers to the state of surpassing ordinary standards.

positive attribute

Highlights a specific characteristic that is commendable.

good quality

A general term for a high standard or characteristic.

advantageous feature

Focuses on features that provide a benefit or positive aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "merit" in a sentence?

You can use "merit" to describe something deserving of praise or recognition, as in: "The candidate was selected on the basis of their academic merit" or as a verb, as in "Her performance merited a promotion".

What's a good alternative to using the word "merit"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "merit" include "worthiness", "value", or "deservingness".

Is it correct to say something 'lacks merit'?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say something "lacks merit" to indicate that it is not worthy of praise or consideration. For example: "The proposal lacks merit because it is not economically feasible".

What is the difference between "merit" and "advantage"?

"Merit" refers to the quality of deserving praise or reward, while "advantage" implies a beneficial position or circumstance. The decision to hire the candidate was based on "merit" because of his skills, but having connections in the company can be an "advantage".