merit thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merit thinking" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to the act of considering or evaluating something based on its merits or inherent value, rather than external factors. It can also describe a mindset or approach that prioritizes merit and fairness. Example: In order to make a fair decision, we must approach the situation with merit thinking and consider each candidate's qualifications and achievements.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our results were both interesting and surprising, and merit thinking about in the context of current policy discussions and debates in Washington.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

2. Technical Merit.

Science Magazine

But I think there's merit in thinking about our character constructions like a profile being delivered over the course of a piece of writing.

Huffington Post

NEVER use a single merit without thinking twice or you'll regret it.

WikiHow

Are you able to see the movie on its own merits, without thinking about how it did at the box office, or how it was received by critics?

The New York Times

However, it remained the case, as Doob often observed, that analysts and probabilists tended to keep their distance from each other and did not sufficiently appreciate the merits of thinking rigorously about probabilistic problems (which were often left to physicists) or of thinking probabilistically in purely analytical problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The radio hit You Can't Get What You Want, with an intoxicating, jazz-inspired guitar solo from Vinnie Zumo, leads into Go For It, a quick march through the merits of thinking positive, horns blaring like the studio was on fire.

The Guardian - Music

The precise core of Hayek's concern is not the mirage of thinking merit does matter, but the mirage of thinking entitlement doesn't.[10] Note the similarity between Hayek's view and the view expressed by John Rawls in "Two Concepts of Rules" (1955).

SEP

Better to have an anti-Trump candidate emerge on his own merit, the thinking goes, than to play kingmaker for one.

Huffington Post

Are we naïve in thinking that merit should be considered?

The New York Times

The problem is, whatever their merits, this way of thinking about food is a recipe for deep confusion and anxiety about one of the central questions of life: what should we have for dinner?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for "merit thinking", provide specific criteria for assessing merit to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid equating "merit thinking" solely with popularity or widespread approval; true merit often requires critical assessment beyond superficial appeal.

Linguistic Context

"Merit thinking" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific approach or philosophy emphasizing evaluation based on intrinsic worth, aligning with Ludwig's identification of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merit thinking" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase signifying a focus on evaluating entities based on their inherent qualities rather than external factors. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Predominantly found within News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias contexts, the term is relevant in various fields from hiring practices to philosophical discussions. When using "merit thinking", it's crucial to provide objective criteria to avoid confusion with subjective concepts like popularity. Alternative phrases like "thinking based on merit" or "merit-based reasoning" can add nuanced emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinking based on merit

Reorders the phrase while retaining the core meaning of evaluating based on merit.

merit-based reasoning

Substitutes "thinking" with "reasoning", emphasizing the logical evaluation process.

thinking on its own merits

Adds emphasis on evaluating something independent of external factors.

evaluating based on merit

Replaces "thinking" with "evaluating" to highlight the action of assessment.

considering the merits

Focuses on the act of "considering" the positive aspects or advantages.

valuing competence

Shifts the focus to "valuing" skills and abilities as a primary consideration.

recognizing worth

Emphasizes acknowledging the inherent value or "worth" of something.

appreciating value

Similar to "recognizing worth", but with a stronger connotation of active "appreciation".

virtue-centric thought

Introduces a more philosophical term relating to evaluating what is intrinsically 'virtuous'.

quality-driven analysis

Highlights analysis guided by inherent "quality", a subtle shift in emphasis.

FAQs

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

You can use "merit thinking" to emphasize the importance of evaluating ideas or proposals based on their inherent qualities, rather than external factors. For instance, "The committee adopted a policy of merit thinking to ensure fairness in the selection process."

What's a good alternative to "merit thinking"?

Consider using phrases like "thinking based on merit", "merit-based reasoning", or "evaluating based on merit" to convey a similar idea with slightly different emphasis.

Is "merit thinking" the same as "positive thinking"?

"Merit thinking" focuses on objective evaluation, while positive thinking emphasizes optimism and a hopeful outlook. While both can be valuable, they address different aspects of decision-making and perspective. Positive thinking might involve seeing the bright side, while merit thinking calls for assessing actual strengths and weaknesses.

How does "merit thinking" apply to hiring practices?

In hiring, "merit thinking" means prioritizing candidates based on their qualifications, skills, and experience directly relevant to the job requirements. This approach aims to ensure the most competent individuals are selected, regardless of factors unrelated to job performance.