better merely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better merely" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is preferable but only to a limited extent. Example: "While the new policy is better merely in terms of efficiency, it does not address the underlying issues."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Justine has come across a little better, merely scowling from time to time as if she knows the whole process is demeaning but necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian (here) wasn't much better, merely omitting the words "feeling refreshed" while the Telegraph (here) was more restrained, publishing only the first 11 words.

The Guardian

They say that in addition to having to deal with economic hardships and environmental damage, BP's insistence that everything is getting better merely acts as salt on a not-yet-healed wound.

The Guardian

One important finding in this study was that comfort and security could be obtained through a pre-arranged availability of physical therapy and that the persons with migraine were able to cope better merely by knowing that help was available.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But how can anyone know what the ideal self is, the superior self that is not merely better, but best?

SEP

That the most powerful actors should be immunized from the rule of law - not merely treated better, but fully immunized - is a constant, widely affirmed precept in US justice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Truly outstanding designers, engineers and managers, he says, are not just 10 percent, 20 percent or 30 percent better than merely very good ones, but 10 times better.

The New York Times

The Spaniard's shot carried plenty of power but Reina should have done much better than merely help it into the net.

BBC

Far better than merely surviving since its founding in 1956, MC has grown dramatically.

The Guardian - Opinion

Going on that ride was not my idea, not that the fast-food lunches were better than merely adequate.

The New York Times - Travel

A plan for peace through United Nations mediation, however difficult or protracted, is better than merely repeating the slogans "stay the course" or "withdraw on a timetable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "slightly better" or "marginally better" if the nuance you want to convey is a small degree of improvement without substantial impact.

Common error

Avoid using "better merely" when the improvement is significant or substantial, as it can downplay the positive change. Instead, use phrases like "significantly better" or "considerably improved" to accurately reflect the extent of the betterment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better merely" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "better" while simultaneously diminishing its impact. It indicates that the improvement is slight or marginal. Ludwig AI shows its usage in contexts where a small degree of betterment is being acknowledged.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better merely" is used to express that something is improved, but only to a slight extent. According to Ludwig, this adverbial phrase serves to qualify an improvement, ensuring the audience understands it's not substantial. While grammatically acceptable, its frequency is rare, appearing mainly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "better merely", be aware of the nuance you're conveying: it's best suited for situations where the improvement is indeed marginal. Consider alternatives like "slightly better" or "marginally better" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only slightly better

Explicitly states the limited extent of the improvement.

marginally better

Highlights the small margin by which something is superior.

slightly improved

Focuses on the small degree of improvement.

somewhat better

Indicates a limited degree of enhancement or superiority.

incrementally better

Focuses on the gradual and small nature of the improvement.

just a bit better

Emphasizes the minimal difference in quality or condition.

a little better

Simple and direct way to indicate a small degree of improvement.

hardly better

Emphasizes the small degree of improvement, sometimes suggesting it's almost negligible.

scarcely better

Similar to 'hardly better', indicating a minimal improvement.

barely better

Implies the improvement is so small it's almost not worth mentioning.

FAQs

How can I use "better merely" in a sentence?

Use "better merely" to indicate a slight or marginal improvement, such as: "While the new version is "only slightly better", it addresses some key issues."

What are some alternatives to "better merely"?

Some alternatives include "slightly better", "marginally better", or "just a bit better", which all convey a small degree of improvement.

Is it always appropriate to use "better merely"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use it only when the improvement is minimal. If the improvement is substantial, use stronger terms like "significantly better" or "much improved".

What's the difference between "better merely" and "significantly better"?

"Better merely" indicates a small improvement, while "significantly better" indicates a large or important improvement. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you want to describe.