merits reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merits reflection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic or idea that is worthy of careful thought or consideration. Example: "The recent changes in policy merit reflection on their long-term impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is scarcely rocket science, but there are elements here that merit reflection.

The New York Times

It is a question that at least merits some reflection before being launched".

The New York Times

Though we are still working our way there, friends who have finished the route tell us their lives have changed, enriched by the lessons of le chemin: that the path of our lives is dur (tough), delivers the unexpected, merits ongoing reflection, is nurtured by the fellowship of others and is a great blessing to be able to pursue.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, the conclusion as put forward by the authors merits some reflection.

Diabetes Care

The decision on how to select the case(s) to study is a very important one that merits some reflection.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It also merits critical reflection that the majority of paediatricians in this study did not perceive a lack of security on diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the transition from curative to palliative care, as a relevant barrier.

BMC Palliative Care

Some would argue that a tweet with thirteen Emojis (e.g. Minaj's original post about the industry celebrating women with slim bodies) does not merit serious reflection.

Huffington Post

"Over the last 15,743 miles, our test car has developed many minor problems that merit some reflection," Gabe Shenhar, a Consumer Reports automotive test engineer, wrote on the magazine's blog.

Los Angeles Times

The clinical relevance of these findings merits some reflections.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

We reasoned that students would see this as an important endeavor that would merit their reflection.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Furthermore, the down-stream implications of disease management practices (e.g. vaccination or culling), also merit careful reflection.

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merits reflection" when you want to emphasize that something is worthy of careful and thoughtful consideration. This phrase is especially useful in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "merits reflection" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase can sound overly formal or pretentious in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "needs thinking about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merits reflection" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "merits" acts as a transitive verb indicating that something deserves or warrants the action of "reflection". Ludwig indicates this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merits reflection" is a grammatically correct and formal expression used to indicate that something is worthy of careful and thoughtful consideration. According to Ludwig, this phrase is accurate and appropriate for written English. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Alternative phrases include "deserves contemplation" and "warrants consideration". It's best to avoid using "merits reflection" in informal settings, as it may sound overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserves contemplation

Focuses more on the act of thoughtful observation rather than just consideration.

demands contemplation

Similar to deserves contemplation, but implies urgency.

warrants consideration

Implies a justification for giving something attention.

requires deliberation

Emphasizes the need for careful and thorough discussion.

bears consideration

A formal way of saying something is worthy of attention.

calls for scrutiny

Suggests a need for close and critical examination.

justifies analysis

Indicates that something is worth breaking down and examining in detail.

is worthy of thought

A more general way of saying something should be considered.

needs pondering

Implies a more personal and thoughtful reflection.

invites introspection

Suggests a deeper self-examination is appropriate.

FAQs

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

Use "merits reflection" to indicate that a topic or issue is worthy of careful and thoughtful consideration. For example, "The ethical implications of this technology "merits reflection"."

What are some alternatives to "merits reflection"?

You can use alternatives such as "deserves contemplation", "warrants consideration", or "requires deliberation" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "merits reflection" formal or informal?

"Merits reflection" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for academic, professional, or serious discussions. It is less appropriate for casual conversation.

What is the difference between "merits reflection" and "needs reflection"?

"Merits reflection" suggests that something is worthy of thoughtful consideration, while "needs reflection" implies a necessity for such consideration. The former is about worthiness, the latter about necessity.