Meaning & use
certificate of merit
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A printed document given to someone as official recognition of excellent work, effort or achievement.
Grammar: Countable: she earned two certificates of merit.
Patterns
- receive a certificate of merit
- a certificate of merit for something
Jon received a certificate of merit for his science project.
The school gave her a certificate of merit for perfect attendance.
He framed the certificate of merit and hung it on the wall.
nouncountable
A formal award in a contest or exam showing that a participant reached a good standard even if they did not win.
Grammar: Often used in competitions: a certificate of merit for good work.
Patterns
- win a certificate of merit
- be awarded a certificate of merit
She did not win the competition but was awarded a certificate of merit.
Several students earned a certificate of merit in the math contest.
The art club handed out certificates of merit at the end of the show.
Word forms
| plural | certificates of merit |
|---|
Common combinations
- receive a certificate of merit
- He proudly received a certificate of merit.
- award a certificate of merit
- The principal awarded a certificate of merit to each finalist.
- earn a certificate of merit
- She earned a certificate of merit in music.
- present a certificate of merit
- The mayor presented a certificate of merit to the volunteer.
- certificate of merit for
- A certificate of merit for kindness was given to her.
Synonyms and how they differ
- commendation
- Commendation is a formal word for praise or an award, while a certificate of merit is always a physical or printed document.
- award
- Award is a general word for any prize, but a certificate of merit is specifically a paper honor.
- diploma
- A diploma proves that someone finished a course of study, but a certificate of merit praises good work.
- citation
- A citation is an official statement of praise, often for bravery or service, and is more serious than a school certificate of merit.
Word family
- certificate noun
- an official document that proves something
- certify verb
- to officially confirm that something is true
- merit noun
- good quality that deserves praise
- meritorious adjective
- deserving praise or reward
Commonly confused: certificate of merit or certificate of completion?
certificate of merit vs certificate of completion
A certificate of completion shows that you finished a course, whereas a certificate of merit recognizes quality or effort.
Practice
The teacher gave Lena a ___ for her outstanding essay.
Choose one answer.
A certificate of merit recognizes excellent work. A birth certificate records a birth, a marriage license is for weddings, and a driving test is an exam.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “certificate of merit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.