a mere number

USAGE SUMMARY

"a mere number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a quantitiy that is either large or small in comparison to other numbers or figures. For example: "The number of people attending the rally was a mere number compared to the millions who attended the one held in previous years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How could a multi-dimensional person be reduced to a mere number?

The New York Times

Leslie and Grace, unlike Glen, don't narrow-mindedly judge relationships on the basis of appearances or of age (what Grace calls a mere "number").

The New Yorker

To do just such a dissection, however, reveals something about each of the contenders and his record -- far more than a mere number stripped from its context, blown up beyond recognition and wielded like a cudgel.

The New York Times

But the mass of the Higgs is more than a mere number.

BBC

Having 3D data such as surface and volumes does not give a much better insight on palatal shape changes, as the value of the surface or of the volume is a mere number that does not tell where is the source of variability between patients.

Progress in Orthodontics

A mere number that only signifies one thing: I fit a system better than anybody else, but not a whole lot more.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Getting a mere number-cruncher to do so had long been thought impossible.

The Economist

"At the end of the day," he said, "it's a mere issue of numbers".

The New York Times

The majority of scientific journals are of a low impact, but the mere number of them gives them a measurable impact on the high impact journals.

Plosone

Any evaluation system in which the mere number of a researcher's publications increases his or her score creates a strong disincentive to pursue risky and potentially groundbreaking work, because it takes years to create a new approach in a new experimental context, during which no publications should be expected.

Science Magazine

We wonder why the JIF is calculated to three significant decimal places, but then realize that besides making journals easier to rank, a number calculated to 1/1000 feels somehow more legitimate, more precise – more scientific – than a mere whole number.

Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere number" when you want to emphasize the inadequacy of a numerical representation to capture the full complexity or significance of something. For instance, "Reducing a person's worth to a mere number on a test score is unfair."

Common error

Avoid using "a mere number" in situations where the numerical value is already understood to be limited in scope. Overusing it can sound repetitive or condescending. For example, it's redundant to say "The population was a mere number," if the context already implies you know the population is more than just a number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere number" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It emphasizes the inadequacy of a numerical representation in capturing the full complexity or significance of something. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere number" is a grammatically correct phrase used to downplay the importance or sufficiency of a numerical representation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, although usage depends largely on the context. Use this phrase to indicate when a numerical value does not fully capture the essence or complexity of the subject. Avoid overuse in simplistic contexts, and be mindful of the potentially dismissive tone it can convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a number

This alternative suggests that something is being reduced to a simple numerical value, often implying that it's not as important as it seems.

nothing more than a number

Highlights the reduction of something complex to a simple numerical value, often implying dehumanization.

a simple statistic

Focuses on the statistical aspect, implying that something complex is being oversimplified into a single data point.

a faceless statistic

Highlights the dehumanizing aspect of reducing individuals to mere data points.

a paltry sum

Highlights the smallness or insignificance of an amount, often in a financial context.

an insignificant figure

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact of a particular number or value.

a negligible quantity

Points out that the amount is so small that it can be safely disregarded.

a trivial amount

Indicates that the quantity is so small or unimportant that it's not worth considering.

a meaningless digit

Emphasizes the lack of significance or value associated with the numerical representation.

a cold calculation

Implies that something is being treated with a lack of emotion or empathy, reduced to a calculated figure.

FAQs

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

Use "a mere number" to downplay the importance or sufficiency of a numerical value. For instance, "The cost, while seemingly high, is a mere number when considering the long-term benefits."

What are some alternatives to saying "a mere number"?

You can use alternatives like "just a number", "a simple statistic", or "an insignificant figure" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a mere number"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Using "a mere number" can sometimes sound dismissive or condescending, especially when referring to metrics that are important to someone. Always consider your audience and the context.

What's the difference between "a mere number" and "just a number"?

While similar, "a mere number" emphasizes the inadequacy or insufficiency of the number, whereas "just a number" can sometimes imply a lack of emotional connection or significance.