a mere part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is only a small or insignificant portion of a larger whole. Example: "This report is a mere part of the extensive research we conducted over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What happens when the balance of power is upended, and the producer isn't just a worker for hire, a mere part of the pop-star ecosystem?

The New York Times - Arts

The Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism, for instance, emphasises the universal state of flux of which the self is a mere part: you are me and I am you and we are all the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

For impermanent-permanent appears as permanence and as impermanence, and each of these is the entirety, not a mere part, of the whole.

SEP

An object at a time — Descartes in 1625, for example — is not the whole object but, rather, a mere part (a temporal part) of that object; and the relation between Descartes in 1625 and Descartes in 1635 is like the relation between the two wheels of a bicycle: they are different parts of a bigger whole.

SEP

This paper is an expansion of Alexander's less rigorous (1909 10), where he compares the new conception of mind as a mere part of the universe as opposed to being at the centre of the universe to the move from geocentrism to heliocentrism.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But it's idle longing on the part of a mere character from life.

The Guardian - Books

Sexual objectification psychologically oppresses women because it splits a woman into two parts, identifying her as a mere bodily part or function, thereby inferiorizing her (Bartky 1990b, 26).

SEP

Salinity in the Caspian is about 12.8 parts per thousand on average, but that figure conceals a variation from a mere 1 part per thousand near the Volga outlet to a high of 200 parts per thousand in the Kara-Bogaz-Gol, where intense evaporation occurs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Next to all this statesmanship, Mr Hollande has been forced to play a mere bit part, saying the right things but always from the shadows.At a time of uncertainty and national drama, the incumbent has an unfair advantage.

The Economist

In July, researchers at the University of Chicago found that residents of Bangladesh chronically exposed to arsenic at a mere 19 parts per billion showed signs of reduced lung function.

The New York Times

Just ask Diego Maradona, a mere bit-part player in the Barcelona story.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere part" to downplay the significance of something within a larger context. It's effective when you want to emphasize that something is not as important or substantial as it might seem at first glance.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere part" when the portion you're describing actually plays a crucial role. This phrase is best reserved for instances where you genuinely want to minimize the perceived importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere part" functions as a modifier indicating that the noun it describes is a small and seemingly insignificant component of something larger. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, and is often employed to diminish the perceived importance of a particular element.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mere part" is a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the limited significance of something in relation to a larger context. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across diverse domains such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, use "a mere part" to downplay the importance of a subject, and avoid overstating its insignificance if it plays a vital role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a fraction

Replaces "part" with "fraction", emphasizing the small proportion.

only a segment

Substitutes "part" with "segment", suggesting a piece of something.

simply a portion

Replaces "mere part" with "simply a portion", highlighting simplicity and limited size.

barely a piece

Emphasizes how small and insignificant the part is.

merely an element

Replaces "part" with "element", indicating it's one component among many.

just a component

Replaces "mere part" with "just a component", focusing on being one of the constituents.

a small component

Replaces "mere part" with "small component", this expression can be interchangeable.

a trivial fragment

Implies the part is not only small but also unimportant.

an insignificant aspect

Shifts focus to the idea of being an aspect rather than a physical part.

a negligible detail

Highlights the unimportance of the part, emphasizing it as a detail.

FAQs

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

Use "a mere part" to indicate that something is a small or insignificant component of a larger whole. For example: "This chapter is "a mere part" of the overall story."

What are some alternatives to "a mere part"?

You can use alternatives like "just a fraction", "only a segment", or "simply a portion", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a mere part" in formal writing?

Yes, "a mere part" is suitable for formal writing. It's grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning of something being a small component. Its neutrality makes it appropriate for professional contexts, as well.

What is the difference between "a mere part" and "an integral part"?

"A mere part" emphasizes insignificance, while "an integral part" highlights essentiality. They have opposite meanings; use "a mere part" when minimizing importance and "an integral part" when stressing necessity.