substantial merit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial merit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has significant value or worth, often in a formal or evaluative context. Example: "The proposal was rejected, but it had substantial merit that should be considered in future discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

And some students cast a wide net to increase their chances of snaring a substantial merit scholarship.

The New York Times

"We have a civil case against the auditors which we believe has substantial merit," Mr. Bershad said.

The New York Times

True, fears that Mr. Taylor's trial in Freetown could cause instability in Sierra Leone, Liberia and elsewhere in the region have substantial merit.

The New York Times

Yesterday's Irish initiative of the government underwriting all bank deposits for two years has the substantial merit that it should end the freeze up in the interbank markets, where similar initiatives by other EU states need to be considered.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the interviews, many of the legal experts said that approach had substantial merit because it could be harmful to the constitutional system to subject future Presidents to the risk of impeachment for personal misbehavior, no matter how extreme.

The New York Times

If BN raises a substantial question concerning either infringement or validity, i.e., asserts an infringement or invalidity defense that the patentee cannot prove "lacks substantial merit," the preliminary injunction should not issue.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I don't think she has ulterior motives for not recognizing their substantial merits; I think she's exhibiting a lapse of critical judgment.

The New Yorker

The proposed antenna has substantial merits like low profile, miniaturization, lower return loss and better impedance matching with high gain over other implanted antennas.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

The results obtained need further analysis to obtain the best alternatives, as they all have substantial merits and demerits.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Extremely qualified students sometimes apply to mid-tier universities in the hopes of receiving substantial merit-scholarship money.

Huffington Post

Professor Gillers said the judge's monetary interest in the cemetery trust was probably not sufficiently substantial to merit recusal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial merit", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes the merit. Be specific about the qualities or aspects that make it significant.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial merit" when the actual value or benefit is minimal or unproven. Ensure there's genuine evidence to support the claim of significant worth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial merit" primarily functions as a descriptive term, indicating that something possesses a significant degree of worth or value. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial merit" serves to highlight the significant worth or value of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and suitable for formal use, and based on the data, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context provides clear evidence of the merit's substantial nature. While phrases like "considerable value" or "significant worth" can serve as alternatives, "substantial merit" adds a layer of formality and emphasis on demonstrable value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable value

Focuses on the value aspect, replacing "merit" with a more direct synonym.

significant worth

Emphasizes the worth, a close synonym for merit, while maintaining the intensity.

notable advantage

Shifts the focus to advantage, implying a benefit that is considerable.

remarkable quality

Highlights the quality aspect of merit, suggesting a noteworthy characteristic.

significant asset

Replaces "merit" with "asset", focusing on a beneficial quality or resource.

material strength

Highlights the strength aspect, suggesting a core or fundamental advantage.

genuine benefit

Focuses on the benefit aspect, emphasizing that the advantage is real and significant.

appreciable importance

Emphasizes the importance of the merit, highlighting its significance.

real value

Replaces "substantial" with "real", focusing on the authenticity and worth.

marked advantage

Highlights the advantage aspect of merit, suggesting that is easily seen and noteworthy.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial merit" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial merit" to describe ideas, arguments, or qualities that possess considerable value or worth. For example, "The proposal was rejected, but it had substantial merit that should be considered in future discussions."

What are some alternatives to "substantial merit"?

You can use alternatives like "considerable value", "significant worth", or "notable advantage" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial merit" or "great merit"?

"Substantial merit" and "great merit" are similar, but "substantial" suggests a more concrete and demonstrable level of value, whereas "great" is more general.

What does it mean when something is described as having "substantial intrinsic merit"?

When something has "substantial intrinsic merit", it means its value or worth is significant and inherent, existing independently of external factors or comparisons. It is often used in the context of research or creative work.