on sporting merit

USAGE SUMMARY

"on sporting merit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that someone or something is better than others in the same field in terms of sporting ability or skill. For example, "The team went on to win the championship on sporting merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Accordingly Crvena Zvezda are excluded from participating in the 2014/15 Uefa Champions League for which they had qualified on sporting merit.

The Guardian - Sport

The change of policy has been agreed on the basis on "sporting merit", according to Infantino.

The Guardian - Sport

Judgements will be reached on sporting merit, the authenticity of personal values rather than the superficiality of social conditioning.

Independent

After his petition reached over 2,000 signatures, the BBC responded with a statement saying nominees are selected purely on sporting merit, not character.

Independent

"The amendments made will continue to ensure qualification based on sporting merit, and the right of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe's elite club competitions.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been argued that Dunfermline's case was diminished because they were already relegated before Rangers went out of business and SPL chief executive said the decision had been taken "purely on sporting merit".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"The leagues defend the basic values of the European sport model, based on sporting merits, an open-access pyramid structure where all clubs form the foundation and all clubs could live the dream to reach the top," said Colombo, of the European league body.

The New York Times - Sports

That will enable them to become better and so still attract a future transfer, but clubs needs to be financially stable enough to make decisions based on sporting rather than income merits.

BBC

on sport participation.

Sport Management Review

"Many people bet on sport.

Independent

Focus on sports.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on sporting merit" to clearly indicate that selection or achievement is based solely on athletic ability and performance, excluding other factors like personal connections or financial influence.

Common error

Avoid using "on sporting merit" when referring to non-athletic contexts. For academic achievements or artistic creations, use "on academic merit" or "on artistic merit" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on sporting merit" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the basis or reason for an action or outcome. It indicates that something was achieved or determined solely based on athletic skill and performance, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on sporting merit" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the importance of athletic skill and performance in sports. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that achievements or selections are based solely on objective athletic ability. While the phrase is not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media sources and serves to highlight fairness and objectivity. Related phrases like "based on athletic skill" and "achieved through athletic performance" can be used as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. When writing, ensure the context aligns with athletic ability to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to athletic merit

Uses "athletic" instead of "sporting" and introduces a more formal tone.

obtained by sporting excellence

Emphasizes a high degree of skill and quality in sports.

achieved through athletic performance

Highlights actual performance rather than just potential skill.

by virtue of sporting skill

Emphasizes skill as the reason or cause for achievement.

based on athletic skill

Focuses specifically on athletic skill as the determining factor.

through superior athletic ability

Highlights that achievements are a direct result of outstanding athletic capabilities.

deserved through athletic ability

Underscores that success is justified due to inherent athletic talent.

through athletic prowess

Emphasizes exceptional athletic ability as the means of achievement.

won through competition

Focuses on the competitive aspect of sports and winning through that process.

earned by sportsmanship

Highlights fair play and ethical conduct in sports as the basis for earning something.

FAQs

How can I use "on sporting merit" in a sentence?

You can use "on sporting merit" to emphasize that someone's selection, victory, or qualification is based solely on their athletic skills and performance. For example: "The team qualified for the tournament "on sporting merit", showcasing their exceptional athletic abilities."

What's the difference between ""on sporting merit"" and "on merit"?

"On sporting merit" specifically refers to achievements or selections based on athletic skills and performance in sports. "On merit", without "sporting", is a broader term that can apply to any field, such as academics, arts, or professional skills.

What can I say instead of ""on sporting merit"" to convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "based on athletic skill", "earned through sportsmanship", or "achieved through athletic performance". These phrases all emphasize that success is due to athletic ability and fair play.

Is it correct to use "on sports merit" instead of ""on sporting merit""?

While "sports merit" might seem grammatically similar, ""on sporting merit"" is the more commonly accepted and idiomatic phrase. It clearly conveys the idea of achievement based on athletic ability. Using "sports" as an adjective is less conventional in this context.