merits praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merits praise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that deserves recognition or commendation for its quality or achievement. Example: "The team's innovative approach to problem-solving truly merits praise for its effectiveness and creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

All the same, there is a persistence to Arsenal that merits praise.

The Guardian - Sport

The tenor Paul Agnew merits praise if only for surviving Vivaldi's aria "Dominus a dextris tuis".

The New York Times

And Louis Quilico as Dr. Bartolo merits praise as well: he posed and primped and plotted to fine comic ends.

The New York Times - Arts

The cast, however, merits praise, as do Rob Odorisio, who did the scenery, and Curtis Hay, responsible for the costumes.

The New York Times

That noble-minded poet alone merits praise whose word, like the sentence of a judge, keeps free from love or hatred in recording the past.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The home side maintained a level of attacking threat by keeping two players up front and Mancini merits praise for his outlook.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Benteke's part in the opening goal also merited praise.

The Guardian - Sport

And I know the newspapers think they merit praise, not blame, for disseminating socially useful messages.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only discernible difference of emphasis concerned whether or not Britain's prime minister merited praise.

The Guardian

Mindful of those circumstances, the former Sunderland defender merited praise for his nerveless execution.

The Guardian - Sport

Both merited praise for ending a brutal campaign and a harsh period of litigation on a civil note.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merits praise", ensure the reason for the praise is clear and specific. This provides context and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "merits praise" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "deserves praise" or "is worth praising" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merits praise" functions as a verb phrase where "merits" acts as a transitive verb taking "praise" as its object. It expresses that something is worthy of commendation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merits praise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something deserves recognition or commendation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While versatile, it leans toward formal contexts and is frequently found in news and media sources. Consider the specific nuance and formality of your context when choosing between "merits praise" and its alternatives, such as "deserves commendation" or "is worthy of recognition". Remember to always provide clear context on why something "merits praise" to maximize the impact of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is praiseworthy

Directly states that something is worthy of praise.

deserves commendation

Replaces "merits praise" with a more formal term for deserving approval.

is worthy of recognition

Emphasizes the deserving nature of being recognized, instead of being praised.

warrants accolades

Suggests that something is guaranteed to receive accolades.

is deserving of applause

Implies an act or performance that calls for applause.

is creditworthy

Focuses on the aspect of being worthy of credit or acknowledgement.

has earned admiration

Highlights the earning of admiration through specific actions or qualities.

is admirable

A more concise way of saying something is worthy of being admired.

rates highly

Indicates a high level of quality or performance.

commands respect

Focuses on the ability of something to inspire respect.

FAQs

How can I use "merits praise" in a sentence?

You can use "merits praise" to indicate that something deserves recognition or commendation. For example, "The team's innovative approach truly "merits praise" for its effectiveness".

What are some alternatives to "merits praise"?

Alternatives include "deserves commendation", "is worthy of recognition", or "is praiseworthy", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "merits praise" formal or informal?

"Merits praise" leans toward the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "deserves praise" or "is worth it".

Can "merits praise" be used in negative contexts?

While less common, "merits praise" can be used with negation to indicate something does not deserve commendation. For example, "The handling of the situation "merits no praise"".