merits watching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merits watching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is worthy of being watched or observed, often in the context of films, shows, or events. Example: "The documentary on climate change truly merits watching for anyone interested in environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although it didn’t make our list, Vegas merits watching as a city where the economy could get worse.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But while the leader board merited watching, so did the weather.

The New York Times - Sports

While valuations may not be holding the big stocks back, several other headwinds could crimp performance: While now is not a good time to load up on shares of huge companies or bet heavily on funds linked to capitalization-weighted indexes the big stocks merit watching.

Forbes

By this stage, he had already attracted the attention of major clubs, with Manchester United scout Jack O'Brien reporting back to manager Matt Busby in 1948 that he had "today seen a 12-year-old schoolboy who merits special watching.

Wikipedia

Plays that change perceptions (and every good play does that, if only for as long as you're watching it) have merits beyond those of political engagement.

The New York Times

Can an American remake of a brilliant Swedish film be worth watching on its own merits?

Huffington Post

On MSNBC, which I was watching, it didn't even merit a mention on a crawl.

The New York Times

Do my actions really merit this much time and money spent watching me?

Vice

Simon Barnes's How to Be a Bad Birdwatcher (Short Books £9.99) is an amiable mix of memoir, the merits of binoculars, Charles Darwin, laughing gulls and how watching birds compares with his day job of watching England footballers.

The Guardian - Books

As he touts the merits of the program, he notices a young boy watching him talk.

Vice

I will remember talking about the Minnesota Vikings and the merits of Joe Mauer with Specialist Rundell, and I will remember watching some of the strongest men this world has ever known cry while Taps played for Sergeant Schoolcraft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merits watching", ensure the subject is genuinely worthy of attention and observation. Avoid using it for trivial or unimportant subjects.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "merits watching" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "worth watching" or "should check out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merits watching" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating that something is worthy of being observed or paid attention to. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English. The phrase indicates a quality of deserving attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merits watching" signifies that something deserves attention and observation. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Though it's not the most common phrase, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, conveying a recommendation to observe something of value. While generally neutral in register, it is more formal than alternatives like "worth watching". When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject genuinely warrants attention and consider its suitability for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is worth observing

Replaces "watching" with the more formal "observing", implying a more detached or analytical view.

deserves attention

Shifts the focus from the act of watching to the worthiness of receiving attention.

warrants observation

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting a justified need for observation.

calls for observation

Emphasizes the necessity or appropriateness of observing something.

is worthy of consideration

Broadens the scope from visual observation to a more general assessment.

should be monitored

Implies a need for ongoing, careful observation, often in a professional setting.

is notable

Highlights the quality of being interesting or significant enough to warrant attention.

bears scrutiny

Suggests a need for close and critical examination.

is deserving of a look

Uses a more casual tone, indicating something is interesting or attractive.

is of interest

Indicates that something has the potential to attract attention or curiosity.

FAQs

What does "merits watching" mean?

The phrase "merits watching" means that something is worthy of being observed or paid attention to due to its qualities or potential significance.

What can I say instead of "merits watching"?

You can use alternatives like "is worth observing", "deserves attention", or "is notable" depending on the context.

Is "merits watching" formal or informal?

"Merits watching" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "worth watching" or "should check out".

How to use "merits watching" in a sentence?

You can use "merits watching" to indicate that something deserves to be watched or observed. For example, "The new documentary on the Amazon rainforest certainly "merits watching".