for that merely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for that 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 done for a trivial or insignificant reason, but it may require additional context to be fully understood. Example: "He apologized for that merely to avoid further conflict, not because he truly felt remorse."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

More likely, a partial flat tax (with the usual innumerable exemptions) would be legislated for that merely continues to pass the tax burden on to salaried workers.

The Economist

For that, merely knowing the story like a series of events is not the point.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the findings are less conclusive for companies that merely increase or decrease dividends.

The New York Times

But most Iraqis are content to miss a few days off in exchange for temperatures that merely creep above 100.

The New York Times

Even if we were to create an exception for situations that merely resemble those governed by such a contract, we would not apply the exception here.

Cornell University

TV chefs are everywhere at the moment Young actresses playing  Dick Whittington no longer seems quite right The Labour leader has been rightly scorned for music that merely ticked boxes.

Independent

Elsewhere, technology professors have been accused of accepting corporate grants for research that merely serves companies' short-term needs or that restricts how much of their work can be shared with colleagues, even those in their own departments.

The New York Times - Tech

They weren't worth it in the old model of store selling, where you were giving up valuable selling square footage for something that merely drove traffic.

Forbes

It is sometimes pointed out, for example, that merely confining Mary to a monochromatic environment would not prevent her from having color experiences (see Thompson 1995, 264) or that, after release, she would not be able to see colors.

SEP

There were different versions of the anti-ACORN wording, with some less ambitious lawmakers settling for phrasing that merely blocked funds to ACORN "or its subsidiaries".

Huffington Post

It would not be acceptable to ask for funds that merely patch an issue today that will re-occur tomorrow, without first determining whether or not we can address the root occurrence.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to alternatives like "for that only" or "simply because of that" for increased clarity and to avoid potential awkwardness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for that merely" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more direct and concise alternatives to improve readability and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for that merely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the limited or sole reason for an action or state. It often implies a sense of inadequacy or triviality in the given reason, as indicated by Ludwig's assessment of usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for that merely" is used to indicate that something is done or exists only because of a particular reason, often implying that the reason is trivial. Although grammatically acceptable, it is not commonly used and can sound awkward, according to Ludwig. Alternatives like "for that only" or "simply because of that" might be preferable for clarity. Usage patterns show its presence in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for that only

Emphasizes the singleness of purpose or reason.

for that simply

Conveys a sense of ease or lack of complexity.

for that reason alone

Highlights that the specified reason is sufficient on its own.

just for that

Highlights the exclusiveness of the motive.

merely because of that

Focuses on the cause or instigator.

solely for that

Underscores exclusivity and restriction of purpose.

exclusively for that

Indicates that the purpose is specifically and only related to the subject.

only for that

Highlights the fact that there is no other reasons.

for no other reason than that

Affirms that there are no hidden or additional causes or motives.

just for the sake of that

Implies that the action is done without any practical goal.

FAQs

What does "for that merely" mean?

The phrase "for that merely" indicates that something is done or exists only because of a specific reason or purpose, often implying that the reason is trivial or insufficient on its own.

How can I use "for that merely" in a sentence?

You can use "for that merely" to express that something happens solely because of a particular reason. For example, "He apologized "for that merely" to avoid further conflict."

Which is a better alternative to "for that merely": "for that only" or "simply because of that"?

"For that only" and "simply because of that" can both serve as alternatives to "for that merely", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The former emphasizes exclusivity, while the latter highlights causation in a straightforward manner.

Is "for that merely" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "for that merely" is not a very common phrase and can sound awkward or stilted. Consider using alternative phrasings for better clarity and flow in your writing. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase isn't frequently used, thus rephrasing is always an option.