a mere relation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere relation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is simply a connection or association without any significant value or importance. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, his opinion is just a mere relation to the overall decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For example, by the end of thirteenth century, most philosophers use it to explain the doctrine of creation, saying that creatures are related to God by a real relation, whereas God is related to them by a mere relation of reason (cf. Henninger 1989).

SEP

claims straightforwardly that "probable things are truth-like" (probabilia … sunt verisimilia).[7] Other scholastic uses of these words suggest instead a mere relation of frequent mutual implication.

SEP

Thus, when a substance acquires a new relation without undergoing any real change this is often explained by saying that the substance acquired a mere relation of reason.[37] Finally, some medieval philosophers use relations of reason to identify a sense in which God can have accidents after all.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This impulse is due to the pessimist's conviction that "evil is no mere relation of the subject to particular outer things, but something more radical and general, a wrongness or vice in his essential nature, which no alteration of the environment, or any superficial arrangement of the inner self, can cure, and which requires a supernatural remedy".

Huffington Post

Often mistaken for a mere public-relations specialist (he once worked for Saatchi & Saatchi, an advertising firm), he in fact has huge power over Tory policy and philosophy too.

The Economist

"Without prompt action, the pledges Qatar made last year are at serious risk of being dismissed as a mere public relations stunt to ensure the Gulf state can cling on to the 2022 World Cup".

BBC

"Without prompt action, the pledges Qatar made last year are at serious risk of being dismissed as a mere public relations stunt to ensure the Gulf state can cling on to the 2022 World Cup". The report said football's governing body Fifa had a "clear responsibility" to put pressure on Qatar to do more.

BBC

Yet, while the factory and building owners at Rana face charges of negligence, the Western companies that reap the profits face a mere public-relations embarrassment.

Huffington Post

Byzantine theologians opposed the addition, first on the ground that the Western church had no right to change the text of an ecumenical creed unilaterally and, second, because the Filioque clause implied the reduction of the divine persons to mere relations ("the Father and the Son are two in relation to each other, but one in relation to the Spirit").

Encyclopedia Britannica

This effort, as we shall see, helps to explain the pervasiveness in late medieval philosophy of the distinction between so-called real relations (relationes reales) and mere relations of reason (relationes rationis).

SEP

Those precedents require a tangible link to commerce, not a mere conceivable rational relation, as in Lee Optical.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere relation" when you want to downplay the significance of a connection or association between two or more things.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere relation" when the connection is actually substantial or consequential. Doing so would be misleading and undermine your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere relation" functions as a qualifier to describe a connection or association as insignificant or unimportant. Ludwig examples show it often appears in philosophical and academic contexts to diminish the weight of a relationship between concepts or entities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere relation" is a phrase used to downplay the importance of a connection or association. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase functions primarily to qualify a relationship as insignificant or superficial, often in contrast to more substantial links. It's grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts, frequently appearing in academic, philosophical, and news-related discussions. While not extremely common, its consistent usage suggests a reliable way to express minimal connections. When writing, consider alternatives like "a simple connection" or "a superficial association" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple connection

Replaces "relation" with "connection" to emphasize the basic nature of the link.

just a relationship

Uses "relationship" instead of "relation" and "just" instead of "mere" for a slightly more informal tone.

a slight association

Replaces "mere" with "slight" to indicate the connection is small or insignificant.

a basic link

Emphasizes the fundamental and uncomplicated nature of the connection.

a superficial association

Emphasizes the lack of depth or importance in the connection.

an insignificant connection

Directly states the connection is not important.

a trivial connection

Highlights that the connection is unimportant or insignificant.

a tenuous link

Highlights the weakness or fragility of the connection.

a nominal tie

Suggests the connection exists in name only, lacking real substance.

a negligible relationship

Indicates the relationship is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mere relation" to describe a connection that is insignificant or superficial. For example, "Their acquaintance was "a mere relation", not a deep friendship."

What's the difference between "a mere relation" and "a strong connection"?

"A mere relation" suggests a weak or unimportant link, whereas "a strong connection" implies a significant and influential association.

What can I say instead of "a mere relation"?

You can use alternatives like "a simple connection", "a superficial association", or "a tenuous link" depending on the context.

Is "a mere relation" formal or informal language?

"A mere relation" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is not particularly informal but can be replaced with simpler terms like "just a connection" in casual conversation.