a mere statement of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere statement of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is simply a declaration or assertion without any additional significance or depth. Example: "The report was criticized for being a mere statement of facts without any analysis or interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It was nothing personal, just a mere statement of fact.

The New York Times - Sports

A mere statement of good intentions is not enough.

The Guardian

Its old corporate slogan, "You can be sure of Shell", seemed a mere statement of fact.

The Economist

A mere statement of the facts carries with it a complete answer to all the constitutional objection urged against the validity of the act.

Cornell University

A mere statement of the offense in the words of the statute, without a statement of the accompanying facts and circumstances essential to constitute a specific offense, will be insufficient.

Cornell University

By 2005, the word was out that WaMu would accept applications with a mere statement of the borrower's income and assets — often with no documentation required — so long as credit scores were adequate, according to Ms. Zaback and other underwriters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Equity Rule 25 (requiring "a short and simple statement of the ultimate facts upon which the plaintiff asks relief, omitting any mere statement of evidence").

Cornell University

Noyes wrote that while Facebook finds these groups to be "repugnant and ignorant" after a considerable amount of time discussing issues of Holocaust denial, they concluded that "the mere statement of denying the Holocaust is not a violation of our terms".

Huffington Post

How wrong that kind of a program would be is surely evident from the mere statement of the proposition.' J. Harlan, Live and Let Live, in The Evolution of a Judicial Philosophy, 285, 288 (D. Shapiro ed., 1969).

Cornell University

Moody's courage, such as it was, went beyond this mere statement of the obvious.

Independent

The mere statement of these matters is sufficient to indicate the scope of the decision this day rendered.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere statement of" when you want to downplay the significance or impact of a declaration, suggesting it lacks substance or supporting evidence. For example, "The politician's speech was just a mere statement of intent without any concrete plans."

Common error

Avoid using "a mere statement of" when the statement actually carries significant weight or has tangible consequences. Using it in such cases can undermine the importance of the message and appear dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere statement of" functions as a qualifier, typically preceding a noun phrase. It serves to diminish the significance or impact of the statement being described, suggesting it lacks substance, depth, or supporting evidence. Ludwig AI provides examples highlighting this use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere statement of" is a phrase used to qualify a declaration, often implying it lacks substance or supporting evidence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. Grammatically sound, it appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signaling skepticism or the need for further depth. While versatile, be cautious not to downplay genuinely impactful statements. Consider alternatives like "simply a declaration of" or "just an assertion of" for nuanced expression. Use the phrase judiciously to convey thoughtful critique rather than unintended dismissal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply a declaration of

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the declaration, similar to "a mere statement of", focusing on the lack of complexity.

just an assertion of

Highlights the assertive nature of the statement, yet implies it might not be supported by evidence, akin to "a mere statement of".

just a simple declaration of

It combines simplicity and declaration emphasizing the uncomplicated nature of the statement.

bare pronouncement of

Underscores the starkness and simplicity of the announcement, much like "a mere statement of", devoid of elaboration.

purely a claim of

Focuses on the claim aspect, suggesting it is unadulterated and possibly unproven, mirroring the basic nature of "a mere statement of".

nothing more than an expression of

Explicitly limits the statement to being only an expression, highlighting the lack of substantial content, similar to "a mere statement of".

merely a recitation of

Implies a rote repetition without understanding or depth, similar to the superficiality suggested by "a mere statement of".

a basic avowal of

Highlights the fundamental and uncomplicated nature of the avowal, similar to "a mere statement of", implying a lack of nuance.

fundamentally an affirmation of

Focuses on the affirmation aspect, but underscores its basic, underlying nature, echoing the lack of embellishment in "a mere statement of".

only a superficial account of

Directly addresses the lack of depth, positioning the account as shallow and incomplete, much like the limited scope of "a mere statement of".

FAQs

How can I use "a mere statement of" in a sentence?

Use "a mere statement of" to describe something that is presented as a fact or intention but lacks depth, proof, or commitment. Example: "The company's sustainability report was "a mere statement of" good intentions without measurable actions".

What phrases are similar to "a mere statement of"?

Similar phrases include "simply a declaration of", "just an assertion of", or "bare pronouncement of". These alternatives also imply a lack of depth or supporting evidence.

Is "a mere statement of" formal or informal?

"A mere statement of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate in analytical or critical writing where you are evaluating the substance of a claim or intention.

What is the difference between "a mere statement of fact" and "a simple statement of fact"?

"A mere statement of fact" suggests the statement is basic and potentially insufficient, while "a simple statement of fact" emphasizes clarity and lack of complexity without necessarily implying inadequacy.