merits close attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merits close attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is worthy of careful consideration or scrutiny. Example: "The recent study on climate change merits close attention from policymakers and researchers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Fashion, in her view, merits close attention.

The New York Times

For employers setting human-resource policies, or for business schools thinking how best to train the corporate high-flyers of tomorrow, this paradox merits close attention.

The Economist

That bit of history merits close attention, because those efforts to cap reimbursements to providers proved unrealistic and were mostly never realized.

The New York Times

Hugh may be an idiot savant, as Butcher says and as Hugh once describes himself, but what he has on his mind merits close attention.

The New York Times - Books

Emilia Clarke ("Game of Thrones") shines in her time on-screen and is given a meaty role that merits close attention.

The Washington Post

If their format of stepped-down rectangles comes off as a bit textbookish and rigid, that's a minor blip in an overall body of work that demands and merits close attention.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was informative and merits closer attention, especially by politicians and diplomats.

The Guardian

The concepts of praxis, practico-inert and mediating third form the basis of a social ontology that merits closer attention than the prolix Critique encourages.

SEP

The existence of a putative mechanism of down-regulating immune responses by targeting regulatory pathways merits closer attention.

Plosone

Phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification that merits closer attention.

BMC Genomics

Three other races for the House of Representatives also merit close attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merits close attention" when you want to emphasize that a particular subject or issue is important and should be examined carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "merits close attention" in overly casual or informal writing; it can sound stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "needs a look" or "is worth checking out" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merits close attention" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a particular subject or topic is worthy of careful and thorough examination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merits close attention" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that serves to emphasize the importance of careful and thorough examination of a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its common usage in news, science, and formal business contexts. While not overly frequent, its use is recommended when stressing the need for detailed analysis. Alternatives include "deserves careful consideration" and "warrants detailed scrutiny". Remember to avoid using the phrase in very informal contexts to maintain an appropriate tone. The most authoritative sources employing this phrase include The New York Times and The Economist, further validating its proper use in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves careful consideration

Replaces "merits" with "deserves" and "close attention" with "careful consideration".

warrants detailed scrutiny

Substitutes "merits" with "warrants" and "close attention" with "detailed scrutiny", emphasizing a more critical examination.

is worthy of thorough examination

Uses a more descriptive phrase instead of a direct verb, highlighting the worthiness of a comprehensive examination.

calls for in-depth analysis

Suggests a need for a more profound and analytical approach.

should be carefully examined

Expresses the suggestion that something should be carefully examined.

demands rigorous investigation

Highlights the necessity for a strict and thorough investigation.

requires careful observation

Focuses on the need for attentive observation and monitoring.

is deserving of scrutiny

Expresses the suggestion that something deserves scrutiny.

needs to be closely monitored

Emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilant monitoring.

is important to watch

Simplifies the expression to highlight the importance of watching something.

FAQs

How can I use "merits close attention" in a sentence?

You can use "merits close attention" to emphasize the importance of carefully examining a subject. For example, "This issue "merits close attention" due to its potential impact on the economy".

What phrases are similar to "merits close attention"?

Similar phrases include "deserves careful consideration", "warrants detailed scrutiny", or "is worthy of thorough examination".

Is "merits close attention" formal or informal?

"Merits close attention" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts.

What's the difference between "merits close attention" and "deserves attention"?

"Merits close attention" suggests a more thorough and careful examination, while "deserves attention" is a more general statement that something is worthy of notice. The former emphasizes depth of analysis.