Word: merits

Associations

'Merits' refer to the positive qualities or advantages of something. It is often used when discussing the good points or benefits of an idea, argument, or proposal.

• Example 1: "The merits of studying a second language include improved cognitive abilities." Here, 'merits' highlights the advantages of learning a new language.
• Example 2: "Let's focus on the merits of this plan before looking at its drawbacks." In this case, 'merits' emphasizes the positive aspects of the plan.
• Example 3: "The candidate's merits were enough to secure them the job." Here, it describes the qualities that made the candidate suitable for employment.

The synonym 'benefits' is similar, but 'merits' often implies a judgment or evaluation of quality, while 'benefits' may simply state advantages without evaluation.

Substitution

Other words you can use instead of 'merits' include:

• Advantages: This focuses on the favorable conditions but may not include a judgment of quality.
• Strengths: This points to strong points, often used in the context of skills or capabilities.
• Qualities: This is broader and includes both positive and negative aspects, not just the positive ones.

Using these alternatives may slightly change the emphasis of your sentence. For example, saying "the advantages of the plan" suggests a practical view, while "the qualities of the plan" could imply both good and bad aspects.

Deconstruction

The word 'merits' comes from the Latin word 'meritum,' which means 'that which is deserved' or 'worth.'

• It has no prefix and the suffix '-its' helps form the plural. This history reflects its use in evaluating worth or value over something.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you had to discuss the merits of something? What was it, and what positive qualities did you highlight?
• How might the word 'merits' be used in a debate setting?
• In your opinion, what are the merits of having rules in a classroom?