merit investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

"merit investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an examination of someone's qualifications for a job or other position. For example, "The school conducted a merit investigation to appoint its new principal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"At a minimum, her actions merit investigation for judicial misconduct".

The New York Times

Moreover, some of the allegations of high-level corruption and human rights abuses against senior UNM officials clearly merit investigation.

The Economist

An intriguing anomaly: a London-set crime thriller boasting just enough storytelling heft and idiosyncratic style to merit investigation.

The Guardian - Film

He told the Huffington Post he thought the government's case against Swartz is problematic enough to merit investigation.

The Guardian - Tech

No indictments have been brought against members of the K.L.A. but certain allegations merit investigation, a tribunal spokesman, Paul Risley, said.

The New York Times

Now, as then, law enforcement officials and ranchers are split over whether the deaths merit investigation as anything more than a lightning strike or a wolf kill.

The New York Times

He likened her action to aiding in the escape of a suspected violent criminal and called her decision "outrageous conduct by any measure," adding that "her actions merit investigation for judicial misconduct".

The New York Times

There are any number of legitimate questions about the legality of modern campaign finance that merit investigation, and Mr. Schumer is absolutely right to call for hearings, particularly in the apparent absence of interest by the Federal Election Commission and the Justice Department.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, when red flags are present, they often merit investigation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

These are critical issues that merit investigation in future research.

Language Testing in Asia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr Woodford had just told the board that the unusual payments merited investigation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merit investigation", ensure that the subject clearly warrants a formal inquiry due to potential wrongdoing, significant impact, or unresolved questions. For instance, irregularities in financial reports typically "merit investigation".

Common error

Avoid using "merit investigation" when a simple review or discussion is sufficient. Overusing formal terms can dilute their impact and suggest an unwarranted level of seriousness. Reserve it for situations genuinely warranting a formal inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merit investigation" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is worthy of or requires a formal inquiry. As Ludwig examples show, it is often used in contexts where potential wrongdoing or issues of significance are present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merit investigation" is a formal expression used to indicate that something warrants a detailed and official inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and acceptable in formal writing. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts, suggesting its use in serious and objective discussions. When using "merit investigation", consider alternatives like "warrant inquiry" or "deserve scrutiny" to fine-tune the meaning. Overusing this phrase in trivial situations should be avoided to maintain its impact. The analyzed sources highlight that situations involving potential misconduct, ethical breaches, or significant safety concerns typically "merit investigation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merit scrutiny

Indicates that something is worthy of close and critical observation.

deserve scrutiny

Indicates that something is worthy of careful and critical observation.

warrant inquiry

Emphasizes the justification for initiating an inquiry, highlighting the need for asking questions and gathering information.

justify scrutiny

Focuses on the reasons for close examination and critical assessment.

be worthy of inquiry

Highlights that the subject is of sufficient interest to warrant a formal inquiry.

call for examination

Highlights the demand or need for a formal examination or review.

justify examination

Focuses on the reasons for a formal and detailed investigation.

require probing

Stresses the need for deep and thorough investigation to uncover hidden details.

necessitate review

Suggests that a formal review is essential or unavoidable.

call for probing

Emphasizes the need for a thorough and penetrating investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "merit investigation" to indicate that something warrants a formal inquiry, as in "The allegations of fraud merit investigation" or "The unusual transaction patterns merit investigation by the authorities."

What are some alternatives to "merit investigation"?

Alternatives include "warrant inquiry", "deserve scrutiny", or "call for examination", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "merit investigation" formal or informal?

"Merit investigation" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or official contexts, rather than casual conversation.

What kind of situations typically "merit investigation"?

Situations that "merit investigation" often involve potential misconduct, irregularities, or issues with significant consequences, such as financial fraud, ethical breaches, or serious safety concerns.