ought to merit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to merit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that deserves recognition, consideration, or value. Example: "Her hard work and dedication ought to merit a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That ought to merit some degree of loyalty at a time when the future of the Big East hangs in the balance.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, the Antipodean takeover of Twickenham produced a classic conclusion to the eighth World Cup, thanks to the insistent quality of New Zealand's attach and a raging, rousing Australian comeback during the second half that ought to merit some kind of asterisk in the history books.

Independent

Music UK called the songs on Charmbracelet forgettable, and wrote, "She used to take risks, but 'Charmbracelet' is conservative, unadventurous and uninspiring; and, while it's understandable that simply to make another record marks a triumph of sorts, it's impossible to admire Mariah to the degree that her talent ought to merit".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

FOR a country that has sadly been all too often mired in war and conflict with its neighbours, the question of a speech in a foreign capital ought to barely merit much attention.

The Economist

The pure interpretivist would say that, since it is not the case that we compare moral ideals with some nonmoral code of norms constituted by the content of institutional communication, the question does not arise whether we ought to trade merit for consistency, to weaken our morality to make it compatible with our history.

SEP

Given the thrust of his argument, that r is typically larger than g, the prospect of low rates for years to come ought to have merited some discussion.

The Economist

On May 14, the day of the scheduled vote on Thorne-Begland's appointment, Republican Governor Bob McDonnell stated that the candidate's sexuality should not be an issue: "All I can tell you is what I've always said about judges, and that is that these ought to be merit-based selections solely based on a person's skill, ability, fairness, judicial temperament".

Wikipedia

Since the present case falls into the second group of cases, any uncertainty over the interpretation of the state immunity statute has little bearing on the question whether this Court, having agreed to hear the case, ought to decide the merits.

Cornell University

Ought to!

Forbes

It ought to!

TechCrunch

Or ought to!

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to merit" when you want to express a sense of deservingness or expectation based on certain qualities or actions. It implies a moral or logical necessity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "ought to merit" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "should deserve" or "deserves" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to merit" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a sense of obligation or expectation that something deserves a particular outcome. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing deservedness based on certain qualities or actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to merit" is a grammatically correct construction used to express the idea that something deserves or warrants a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that while it's valid, it's relatively rare and leans toward formal contexts, often appearing in news, media, and academic writing. For more casual conversations, alternatives like "should deserve" might be more suitable. Keep in mind the level of formality when using this phrase to ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should deserve

Replaces "ought to" with "should", implying a weaker sense of obligation or expectation.

must warrant

Uses "must" for a stronger sense of necessity and "warrant" instead of "merit", focusing on justification.

is deserving of

Similar to "deserves to receive" but emphasizes the state of deserving.

deserves to receive

More explicit about the act of receiving something that is merited.

is worthy of

Focuses on the quality of being worthy, replacing the sense of obligation.

is entitled to

Highlights the right or entitlement to something, rather than just deserving it.

is bound to earn

Suggests inevitability and earning, replacing the softer "ought to" with a stronger expectation.

is justified in receiving

Highlights the justification for receiving something.

has a right to

Emphasizes the justified claim or legal basis for something.

should be granted

Focuses on the act of granting or giving something that is merited.

FAQs

How can I use "ought to merit" in a sentence?

Use "ought to merit" to express that something deserves or warrants a specific outcome or consideration. For example, "Her dedication "ought to merit" a promotion".

What are some alternatives to "ought to merit"?

You can use alternatives like "should deserve", "must warrant", or "is worthy of depending on the context".

Is "ought to merit" formal or informal?

"Ought to merit" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, using "should deserve" or "deserves" might be more appropriate.

In what kind of situations should I use "ought to merit"?

Use "ought to merit" in situations where you want to emphasize that something logically or morally deserves a specific outcome. This is common in formal writing, such as in news articles, academic papers, or business reports.