has merely been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has merely been" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has only existed or occurred in a limited or insignificant way. Example: "The project has merely been a concept for several years without any actual implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their economic dominance has merely been postponed.

The Economist

But the day of reckoning has merely been postponed.

The Economist

The humanitarian catastrophe it was designed to avert has merely been intensified.

The Economist

Some claim that support for the group has merely been driven underground, not eliminated.

The Economist

In fact, the conflict has merely been turned on its head.

The Economist

Parliament has merely been the end point of the campaign, a rubberstamp for progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm very sorry about this," she said, claiming that her message has merely been misunderstood.

The New York Times

Far from being reconciled, most of Belfast has merely been segregated.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the suspicion is that the attack on tax credits has merely been kicked into touch.

The Guardian - Business

Like that quartet, del Missier has merely been banished for a while.

The Guardian - Business

"Far from being reconciled," Mr. Jenkins wrote in The Guardian, "most of Belfast has merely been segregated".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has merely been" to downplay the significance of an action or state, suggesting it's less impactful than it might appear at first glance. This is useful for setting expectations or providing context.

Common error

Avoid using "has merely been" when you actually intend to emphasize the importance or impact of something. It can diminish the intended message if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has merely been" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase used to express that an action or state is less significant or impactful than it might seem. Ludwig AI confirms that this is used to downplay the importance of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has merely been" is a versatile tool for downplaying the importance of an action or state. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, be mindful of overstating the significance of the phrase. The related phrases, such as "has only been", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. By understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls, you can effectively use "has merely been" to provide context and manage expectations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has only been

Replaces "merely" with "only", indicating a singular or limited aspect.

has simply been

Substitutes "merely" with "simply", suggesting straightforwardness or ease.

has just been

Emphasizes the recent occurrence or limited duration of the event.

has barely been

Highlights the minimal extent or degree to which something has occurred.

has essentially been

Suggests the fundamental nature of something, reducing it to its core elements.

has largely been

Indicates that something is true for the most part, though not entirely.

has partly been

Emphasizes that only a portion or aspect of something has been affected.

has temporarily been

Highlights the transient or provisional state of something.

has technically been

Implies a strict or formal adherence to a specific definition or rule.

has nominally been

Suggests that something is true in name only, lacking real substance.

FAQs

How can I use "has merely been" in a sentence?

Use "has merely been" to indicate that something is only a small or insignificant part of a larger situation. For example, "The project "has merely been" a concept for years."

What are some alternatives to "has merely been"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has only been", "has simply been", or "has just been", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "has merely been" or "has only been"?

Both ""has merely been"" and "has only been" are correct, but they offer slightly different connotations. "Has merely been" implies a degree of underestimation or belittlement, while "has only been" simply states a limitation.

What's the difference between "has merely been" and "has actually been"?

"Has merely been" suggests something is less significant than expected, while "has actually been" emphasizes a reality that might be surprising or contrary to initial impressions.