a mere statistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere statistic" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is relatively insignificant, especially when compared to something else. For example: His life could not be reduced to a mere statistic; he made a lasting impact on the lives of his students.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Josef Stalin once claimed that a single death is a tragedy, but a million deaths a mere statistic.

The Economist

Joseph Stalin once said that while a single death may be a tragedy, a million is a mere statistic.

Independent

At the very least, the person who has been a mere statistic takes on flesh, gets a name and a set of relations.

The Guardian - Books

That O'Neill was born in New York in 1888 is a mere statistic; Connecticut has a rightful claim to the last century's mightiest American playwright.

The New York Times

The Portraits of Grief that appeared in The New York Times for months after the attack hit home because they undercut, through the particulars of single lives, Stalin's formula: Murder en masse and loss becomes a mere statistic.

The New York Times

My eyes were opened to see him as someone God loves, someone created with God-given dignity; not a mere statistic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

After a while, death becomes a mere rising statistic as the conflict develops into another chronic case of mass murder.

Huffington Post

This was no mere statistic or forecast or description of the general state of the economy.

BBC

A simple statistic explains why.

Forbes

Me and my brothers are all criminals, mere statistics or people waiting to become a statistic.

Huffington Post

El Alamein, the much-praised British victory in north Africa, was a mere pub brawl compared with the battles of Midway and Stalingrad.Mr Davies's two main weapons are the devastating statistic and the unexpected comparison.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a mere statistic" to emphasize the dehumanizing effect of reducing complex realities or individuals to simple numerical data. It can add emotional weight to your writing when you want to highlight the loss of individuality or nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere statistic" in purely technical or scientific writing where objectivity is paramount. In such contexts, focus on the data's factual significance without implying emotional judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere statistic" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase that modifies a noun, often to express disparagement or trivialization. It suggests that something significant has been reduced to an impersonal, and potentially misleading, numerical value. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used to highlight the contrast between data and the human element.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a mere statistic" serves as a potent descriptor, often used to underscore the limitations of quantitative data in capturing the complete essence of real-world phenomena. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application in news and media contexts, where its role is to prompt reflection on the human aspects often obscured by numerical representation. While its emotive undertones make it less suited for strictly technical writing, its effectiveness in evoking empathy and criticism is undeniable, making it a valuable tool in persuasive and narrative contexts. Be mindful to not overuse it in technical writing where objectivity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a number

Replaces "statistic" with a more general term for quantity, implying a lack of individual significance.

simply a statistic

Emphasizes the reduction of something complex to a basic statistical data point.

a faceless number

Highlights the dehumanizing aspect of being reduced to a statistic, adding an emotional layer.

an insignificant figure

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact when viewed as a statistic.

a data point

Replaces "statistic" with a more technical term common in data analysis, implying a lack of context.

a statistical abstraction

Highlights how statistics can remove nuance and create an oversimplified view of reality.

a piece of data

Similar to 'a data point', this phrase stresses the individual element within a larger set.

a small part of the data

Emphasizes the idea of being one of many, losing individual identity within the dataset.

nothing more than a number

Highlights the limiting and diminishing nature of being represented only by a number.

a statistical artifact

Suggests that the statistic is a product of analysis, potentially detached from real-world meaning.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a mere statistic" in a sentence?

Use "a mere statistic" when you want to express that something significant is being reduced to an impersonal number, often losing its true meaning or impact. For instance, "The refugees weren't "a mere statistic"; they were individuals with stories and hopes."

What are some alternatives to "a mere statistic" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "just a number", "simply a statistic", or "an insignificant figure" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "a mere statistic"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the contrast between a numerical representation and the underlying reality, especially when emphasizing the human or qualitative aspect that gets lost in the numbers. It's commonly used in discussions about social issues, personal stories, or ethical considerations.

Is "a mere statistic" formal or informal language?

"A mere statistic" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more often seen in journalistic, persuasive, or narrative writing where the author wants to evoke a sense of concern or criticism about reducing something to a simple number. In technical contexts it can be less suitable.