that deserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that deserved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone is worthy of a particular outcome, recognition, or treatment. Example: "She received the award because her hard work and dedication truly showed that she deserved it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Retributivists think that deserved suffering should be distinguished from non-deserved suffering.

SEP

I thought that deserved to be noted".

The New York Times

The HBO series that deserved a nomination was "Treme".

The New York Times

You have eaten a turkey that deserved freedom!

The New Yorker

It was an outrageous act that deserved the strongest condemnation.

The New York Times

We floated past startling rock formations that deserved colorful nicknames.

The New York Times - Travel

Here are a few wines that deserved a better fate.

The New York Times - Food

That was the one that deserved Mr. Kerry's grandstanding.

The New York Times

This is, of course, a problem that deserved many tens of papers in the last four decades.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Surely it was a bad thing, and one that deserved condemnation.

The New York Times

Not in the sense that I thought they made a case that deserved arguing with directly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that deserved" to clearly indicate that an outcome or recognition was justified by actions or qualities. For instance, "The athlete's dedication proved that the victory was one "that deserved" celebration."

Common error

Avoid using "that deserved" when the situation lacks clear justification or merit. For example, instead of saying "He received the prize, but it wasn't "that deserved"", consider rephrasing to express uncertainty or question the fairness of the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that deserved" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify something worthy of a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing numerous examples where it effectively conveys deservingness or merit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that deserved" is a commonly used relative clause indicating that something or someone is worthy of a specific outcome or recognition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. Alternatives such as "that warranted" or "that merited" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "that deserved", ensure the context clearly justifies the outcome being described. Avoid using it in situations where the justification is unclear. The phrase functions to express that something has been earned and is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that warranted

Replaces 'deserved' with 'warranted', implying justification or reason for something.

that merited

Substitutes 'deserved' with 'merited', suggesting earned or being worthy of something.

that earned

Uses 'earned' instead of 'deserved', emphasizing effort or action leading to a result.

that was worthy of

Rephrases to 'was worthy of', highlighting the value or merit of something.

that justified

Replaces 'deserved' with 'justified', indicating a rightness or fairness in the outcome.

that called for

Changes to 'called for', implying a need or demand for a particular action or response.

that was due

Uses 'was due', suggesting something was owed or expected as a right.

that fitted

Replaces 'deserved' with 'fitted', indicating appropriateness or suitability.

that befitted

Substitutes 'deserved' with 'befitted', suggesting something was appropriate or suitable for a person or situation.

that was appropriate for

Rephrases to 'was appropriate for', emphasizing suitability in a given context.

FAQs

How can I use "that deserved" in a sentence?

You can use "that deserved" to indicate that something or someone is worthy of a particular outcome. For example, "It was a performance "that deserved" more than being beaten."

What are some alternatives to "that deserved"?

Some alternatives to "that deserved" include "that warranted", "that merited", or "that earned", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that deserved"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating what something or someone has earned or is worthy of.

What is the difference between "that deserved" and "that warranted"?

"That deserved" implies a sense of earning or being worthy based on merit or effort, while "that warranted" suggests justification or reason, often without the same emphasis on earning.