a mere one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize how small or insignificant something is. For example, "The job took only a mere one hour to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

His old Las Vegas mansion, in which this bathroom was a mere one of 10, is on the market.

The Guardian - Music

A mere one or two at this level of intensity would have been enough.

The New York Times

Benjamin Netanyahu '75 was elected prime minister of Israel last week by a mere one percent of the vote.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That same week, the Republican Party ran just 147 commercials and the Democratic Party a mere one.

The New York Times

The Old City, he noted, is a mere one square kilometer in a city that now measures 120 square kilometers.

The New York Times

When such elements were first tried as solar cells, they were grossly inefficient, converting a mere one to two percent of light energy to electricity.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Even by the campaign's own reckoning, however, this tax increase would bring in only $52 billion a year — a mere one-third of 1percentt of G.D.P.

The New York Times

The loss dropped them back into eighth place, with a mere one-game lead on Milwaukee Bucks, their opponent Wednesday night.

The New York Times - Sports

And despite the trailer trash stigma, Vanderbilt's 1.6% net losses on outstanding loans is a mere one-fifth the industry average.

Forbes

Once they're just set, the yolks are plopped on top and it's ready to serve, a mere one-and-a-quarter hours after I started.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Estimates are that today’s most ambitious startups can take shape for $100,000 or less, a mere one-tenth of the cost a decade ago.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere one" to downplay a quantity or amount, making it seem smaller or less significant than it might otherwise appear. This can be effective in persuasive writing or when contrasting it with a larger, more important value.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere one" excessively in formal or technical writing, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Opt for more neutral language like "only one" or "just one" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere one" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing its small quantity or insignificance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere one" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of a quantity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It is commonly found in news and media contexts, but should be used cautiously in more formal writing. While "a mere one" can be effective for downplaying a quantity, it's important to be mindful of the tone and avoid sounding dismissive. Alternatives such as "only one" or "just one" can be used in situations where a more neutral tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a single one

Replaces "mere" with "just" and "one" with "single", emphasizing the singularity and small quantity.

only one

A more direct and concise way of expressing a small quantity, omitting "mere" for brevity.

simply one

Substitutes "mere" with "simply", focusing on the uncomplicated nature of the small quantity.

a paltry one

Replaces "mere" with "paltry", highlighting the insignificance or worthlessness of the quantity.

a measly one

Uses "measly" instead of "mere", adding a sense of contempt or disdain for the small amount.

a negligible one

Replaces "mere" with "negligible", emphasizing that the quantity is so small it can be ignored.

a trivial one

Substitutes "mere" with "trivial", suggesting the quantity is unimportant or insignificant.

insignificant one

Uses "insignificant" to directly describe the lack of importance of the quantity.

a minimal one

Replaces "mere" with "minimal", focusing on the extremely small or lowest possible quantity.

a scarce one

Substitutes "mere" with "scarce", highlighting the limited availability or rarity of the item.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mere one" to emphasize how small or insignificant something is. For example, "The company received "a mere one" complaint this quarter, which is a significant improvement."

What's a less informal alternative to "a mere one"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "only one", "just one", or "a single" instead of ""a mere one"" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "a mere one" always appropriate, or are there situations where I should avoid it?

While grammatically correct, ""a mere one"" can sound dismissive or condescending. Avoid using it when discussing sensitive topics or when you want to show empathy. Instead, opt for neutral language like "only one" or "just one".

What is the difference between "a mere one" and "only one"?

"A mere one" emphasizes insignificance or surprise at the small quantity, whereas "only one" simply states the quantity without necessarily implying insignificance.