merit
B2Formal to neutral. Common in academic, legal, business, and evaluative contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The quality of being good, deserving, or worthy of praise or reward.
A feature or quality that deserves praise or constitutes an advantage; the intrinsic rights and wrongs of a case, independent of procedural or technical considerations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a quality that is inherent and commendable, leading to a positive judgment. Can be countable ('a merit') or uncountable. In legal contexts, 'on the merits' refers to the substantive content of a case.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference for 'merit' as a verb in formal American contexts (e.g., 'merits consideration').
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of objective assessment and inherent worth.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] merit (e.g., deserve merit)[verb] + merit (e.g., see merit in)merit + [noun] (e.g., merit award)on the merits of + [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on its own merits”
- “a merit badge”
- “make a merit of”
- “judge something on its merits”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to promotion or reward based on performance ('merit-based bonus').
Academic
Evaluating the quality of research or argument ('the thesis has considerable merit').
Everyday
Discussing whether something is a good idea ('I see the merit in your suggestion').
Technical
In law, the substantive elements of a case ('a trial on the merits').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The proposal's main merit is its simplicity.
- He was promoted on merit alone.
- We shall consider the case on its merits.
American English
- The plan has a lot of merit.
- Admission is based solely on academic merit.
- The court dismissed the case on procedural grounds, not on the merits.
verb
British English
- His latest work merits close attention.
- Such serious allegations merit a full investigation.
American English
- The suggestion merits consideration.
- This issue merits further discussion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This idea has merit.
- She got a prize for merit.
- The film's greatest merit is its beautiful photography.
- I think his argument has some merit.
- The committee will assess each application purely on its merits.
- The scheme is not without merit, but it has several practical flaws.
- The philosophical treatise was dense but of undeniable intellectual merit.
- The judge ruled that the claim did not merit a full trial.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MERIT sounds like 'merit' badge earned by a SCOUT for being GOOD and DESERVING.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH IS A MEASURABLE SUBSTANCE ('full of merit', 'lacking in merit'). QUALITY IS HEIGHT ('high merit').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'заслуга' (which is more about a specific act deserving credit). 'Merit' is more about inherent quality. The verb 'to merit' is closer to 'заслуживать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'merit' as a plural-only noun (it can be singular: 'a merit'). Confusing 'merit' (inherent quality) with 'reward' (something given).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'on the merits' most likely used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it inherently refers to positive qualities or deservingness, though it can be used in negative constructions (e.g., 'lacking merit').
Yes, formally, meaning 'to deserve or be worthy of (something, especially attention, consideration, or action).'
'Merit' focuses on inherent, commendable quality deserving reward. 'Advantage' is a favorable condition or factor that benefits a situation, not necessarily based on inherent worth.
A social system where success and status are based on individual ability and achievement ('merit') rather than wealth, class, or other factors.
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