a mere infant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere infant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the youth or inexperience of a person, often in a context where their age is relevant to the discussion. Example: "Despite his impressive achievements, he is still a mere infant in the world of politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In 1914 it was a mere infant.

The Economist

Six hundred seventy million years may seem like a long time, but that many years after the Big Bang, the universe was a mere infant.

The New York Times - Science

But if the family was coming to join someone who had been part of the Galveston Movement, and if my grandmother were a mere infant upon arrival, this is impossible.

The New York Times

Light from the oldest and farthest stellar explosion yet seen was emitted when the Universe was a mere infant.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The parents of David Brown, who owns Brown Estate in Napa Valley with his sisters, Deneen Brown and Coral Kirk, planted zinfandel in 1985, mere infant vines comparatively.

The New York Times - Food

Denmark: Nyboe Andersen, Rigshospitalet, København Ø. France: Salle, Groupement Hospitalier Est Hopital Femme Mere Infant PMA, Bron; Hazout, Clinique de la Muette, Paris.

Human Reproduction

Comparatively, the literary magazines featured& 8212One Story, Jubilat, and A Public Space& 8212were mere infants.

The New Yorker

The two worlds, born around separate stars, are each just a few million years old – mere infants compared to the planets in our roughly 4.6-billion-year-old solar system.

Los Angeles Times

At the time of their IPOs, both of these companies were mere infants by today's standards.

Columbia University

Only about 30 percent of mothers initiate breast-feeding immediately after birth, and despite its myriad benefits to both maternal and child health, a mere 28 percent of infants up to 6 months are exclusively breast-fed.

The New York Times

A year earlier it showed a mere 1% rise.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere infant" when you want to emphasize the youth or inexperience of someone or something, often in comparison to something older or more established. It's more impactful than simply saying "young".

Common error

Avoid using "a mere infant" in overly formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound overly dramatic or sentimental. Opt for more neutral phrases like "newly established" or "still developing" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere infant" functions as a noun phrase, with "mere" modifying the noun "infant". Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It often serves to describe someone or something in its earliest stage of development.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mere infant" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the youth or inexperience of someone or something. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it is most frequently found in news and media, with occasional usage in science and academic contexts. While appropriate for various situations, it can sound overly dramatic in formal settings, and the alternative phrases such as "just a baby" or "only a child" might be more suitable. Remember to use it when you want to draw a contrast and highlight a significant difference in age or maturity, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a baby

Replaces "infant" with a more common synonym, simplifying the phrase.

only a child

Emphasizes youth by using "child" instead of "infant".

still very young

Shifts the focus to the degree of youthfulness.

in its infancy

Refers to the early stage of development rather than literal age.

a fledgling

Implies inexperience and newness, particularly in a professional or skill-based context.

barely begun

Highlights the initial stage of an activity or process.

a recent creation

Emphasizes the newness of something, removing the human element.

newborn

Directly references being newly born, applicable in biological or metaphorical senses.

just starting out

Focuses on the beginning phase of a journey or endeavor.

a tenderfoot

An informal term denoting someone new to an activity or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere infant" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere infant" to emphasize the youth or inexperience of something. For example, "The company, founded just last year, is still "a mere infant" in the industry."

What are some alternatives to "a mere infant"?

Alternatives include "just a baby", "only a child", or "in its infancy" depending on the specific context.

Is "a mere infant" formal or informal?

The phrase "a mere infant" is neither overly formal nor strictly informal; however, it leans slightly towards a more expressive or literary tone. In very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "newly established" or "recently developed".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a mere infant"?

It is appropriate when emphasizing the youth or early stage of development of a person, organization, or concept, often to highlight a contrast with something more mature or established. For example, "Compared to the ancient forest, the newly planted grove was "a mere infant"."