merits reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merits reading" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is worthy of being read, often in the context of articles, books, or other written works that have value or importance. Example: "The author's latest novel is so well-crafted that it truly merits reading for anyone who appreciates great literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But it merits reading so set aside 20 minutes to absorb it.

The Guardian

Again, it merits reading in full: Hani Azzam, 45, businessman and father of 10 in Kirkuk Kurdish peshmerga forces have been in Kirkuk for a long time, but they did not have the prominent presence in the city like now.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well, Daphne Merkin can think what she wishes, and her extraordinarily warped take on this tragedy would hardly merit reading past her third paragraph, let alone publishing a lengthy disputation.

Huffington Post

Whatever the merits of reading novels in a law school seminar, it does not serve Mr. Rosenbaum well.

The New York Times - Books

Now there are several gadgets available, like the Amazon Kindle and the Apple iPad, on which we can read an entire library of books, and many educators are currently involved in heated debates about the relative merits of reading on a screen and reading on paper.

Huffington Post

Gyles Brandreth's diaries are surprisingly entertaining, even when he parodies himself: "Gyles Brandreth, would-be home secretary, has had lunch with Barbie Buss, editor of Woman magazine…I am their new 'star'," he writes with glee.Some diaries merit reading simply out of their oddness.

The Economist

Others that were published at the time, such as the risible "Philippe, Count of Darkness" – based on the berserk idea of turning Ernest Hemingway into a tough-talking French nobleman in the ninth century – have never been collected and don't merit reading, much less republishing.

The Guardian - Books

Those who adopt the former reading of Aristotle's account have tended to adopt the merit reading of Aristotle's conception of responsibility while the latter have often adopted the consequentialist reading.

SEP

All four books testify that a playful picture book merits being read again and again.

The New York Times - Books

If ever a political autobiography merited being read between the lines it's this one.

Independent

The story is totally without merit," it read.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merits reading" when you want to emphasize that something deserves attention and time due to its value or importance. It's suitable for formal contexts and adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "merits reading" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "is worth reading" or "should be read" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merits reading" functions as a verb phrase where "merits" acts as a transitive verb taking "reading" as its gerund object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable, indicating it follows standard grammatical conventions. Example: It merits reading so set aside 20 minutes to absorb it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merits reading" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests something is worthy of being read due to its value or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase, though somewhat less common. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, leaning towards a neutral but slightly formal register. While simpler alternatives like "is worth reading" exist, "merits reading" adds a touch of sophistication and emphasis to your recommendation. Use it to convey that a particular piece of writing deserves attention and time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves to be read

This alternative directly replaces "merits" with "deserves", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

is worthy of being read

This alternative expands on "is worth reading" by adding "worthy of being", emphasizing the value of reading.

is worth reading

This phrase uses a more common expression, "is worth", to convey the idea that the act of reading is valuable.

is a worthwhile read

This phrasing focuses on the benefit or value gained from reading the material.

warrants a read

This option uses "warrants" to suggest justification for reading, offering a slightly more formal tone.

calls for a read

This emphasizes the necessity or strong suggestion that something should be read.

should be read

This phrase uses a more direct and simple construction, indicating a recommendation to read something.

repays careful reading

This implies that the act of reading will provide significant benefits or insights in return for the effort.

is recommended reading

This suggests that the material is officially suggested for reading, often implying authority or importance.

rewards the reader

This focuses on the positive outcome for the person who reads, highlighting the enriching experience.

FAQs

What does "merits reading" mean?

The phrase "merits reading" means that something is worthy of being read because it offers value, insight, or importance. It suggests that taking the time to read something is a worthwhile endeavor.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "merits reading"?

It is appropriate to use "merits reading" in formal contexts, such as academic papers, professional reports, or journalistic articles. It can add a sophisticated tone to your writing when you want to emphasize the value of reading something.

What are some alternatives to "merits reading"?

You can use alternatives like "deserves to be read", "is worth reading", or "warrants a read" depending on the context and desired tone.

How does "merits reading" differ from "is worth reading"?

While both phrases convey that something is valuable to read, "merits reading" has a slightly more formal and sophisticated tone compared to "is worth reading". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.