are but mere

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "are but mere" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is much less important than might be suggested. For example, "The criticisms directed towards him are but mere words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They are but mere cats.'" Saskia Preston This Comedy Knights Fresh Comedian of 2013 finalist floods her Twitter timeline (@saspreston) with smart, pithy gags and the occasional pun: "Got a tattoo of a watch.

The Guardian

The point is, Susan, those women of yesteryear were heroes nay, gods and we are but mere mortals who just want to kick off our heels when we get home from work and treat ourselves to a glass (or two, or three if the first glass was actually more like half a glass) of pinot.

The New Yorker

Both of these films are but mere glimpses of the far-reaching effects of the doctrine of intolerance.

Huffington Post

In light of these facts and figures, which are but mere examples of many other violations, it is obvious how dire the situation is in Egypt.

Huffington Post

The reason being that we are but mere beggars and servants in the presence of the Creator and King of the universe.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was but a mere warm-up.

The New York Times - Sports

Private-sector job creation is but a mere fraction of ours.

Forbes

But they are not mere technicalities.

The Economist

But Presidents aren't mere bystanders.

The New Yorker

But we are flux, mere flux.

The Guardian - Books

But facts are not mere facts in his hands.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are but mere" to downplay the significance of something in contrast to something greater or more important. It's effective when emphasizing the limited nature of a specific aspect within a broader context.

Common error

Avoid using "are but mere" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound unnatural or pretentious in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are but mere" functions as a qualifier, diminishing the importance or significance of a noun. It presents something as insignificant in comparison to a larger context, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are but mere" serves to diminish the significance of something, positioning it as less important within a broader context. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its formal tone makes it less suitable for casual conversation. Alternatives like "are merely" or "are simply" offer simpler ways to convey a similar meaning. Remember to use "are but mere" judiciously, reserving it for contexts where a touch of formal understatement is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are merely

Omits "but", simplifying the phrase while retaining the core meaning of being 'only' or 'simply'.

are simply

Replaces "but mere" with "simply", emphasizing straightforwardness or ease.

are only

Uses "only" instead of "but mere", highlighting the restrictive aspect.

are just

Substitutes "but mere" with "just", indicating that something is nothing more than what is stated.

are barely

Emphasizes the minimal extent or degree of something, focusing on scarcity or insufficiency.

are hardly

Implies that something is unlikely or almost nonexistent, differing in degree from a simple 'mere'.

are scarcely

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of something, adding a sense of scarcity.

are insignificantly

Explicitly states the lack of importance or consequence, making the diminishment more direct.

are trivially

Indicates that something is of little value or consequence, often implying a lack of seriousness.

are nominally

Suggests that something is true in name only, implying a discrepancy between appearance and reality.

FAQs

What does "are but mere" mean?

The phrase "are but mere" is used to describe something as insignificant or of little importance compared to something else. It emphasizes the limited nature or scope of the subject.

How can I use "are but mere" in a sentence?

You can use "are but mere" to downplay the significance of something. For example, "The challenges we face "are but mere" inconveniences compared to the opportunities ahead."

What are some alternatives to "are but mere"?

Alternatives to "are but mere" include "are merely", "are simply", or "are only". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is but mere" instead of "are but mere"?

No, "is but mere" would only be correct if the subject is singular. "Are" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The details are but mere formalities", whereas "This detail is but a mere formality".