however merely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however merely" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used when contrasting two ideas, but it is important to ensure that the context supports its use for clarity. Example: "The project was ambitious; however merely completing it on time was not enough to impress the stakeholders."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She hasn't, however, merely painted her walls.

The New York Times

However merely collecting other peoples comments is not acceptable.

Harvard University

However, merely traveling abroad doesn't produce this benefit.

Harvard Business Review

The White House, however, merely sent swatches and the vases.

The New York Times

This criterion is, however, merely a matter of scale.

The New York Times

The scenes are not, however, merely descriptions or chronicles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This statement, however, merely reminds that certifications are not frozen once made.

Harvard University

However, merely removing a young child from an insufficiently responsive environment does not guarantee positive outcomes.

Harvard University

This is not, however, merely the hate-filled bile of politicians.

The Guardian

The Venter-Collins competition, however, merely sets the historical and scientific context.

The New York Times - Books

At least one of them was not forgotten, however, merely lost for nearly a century.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "however merely" to precisely indicate that an action or state is insufficient or limited in its impact, despite what might be expected. It's effective for setting up a contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "however merely" too frequently in casual writing, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "but just" or "yet only" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however merely" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically serving to qualify or limit the statement that follows. It establishes a contrast, indicating that despite a prior condition or expectation, the outcome is limited or insufficient. Ludwig's examples show it is used to temper expectations or downplay the significance of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "however merely" functions as an adverbial modifier used to introduce a contrast and qualify or limit a statement. While Ludwig examples and AI indicate that the phrase is acceptable, it's crucial to consider its slightly formal tone. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful of the potential for simpler alternatives in more casual settings. This way, you avoid sounding overly formal while still achieving clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however simply

Replaces "merely" with "simply", keeping the sense of limitation but with a slightly different nuance.

but just

Uses "but" to introduce the contrast and "just" to convey the limitation, offering a more concise alternative.

yet only

Similar to "but just", using "yet" as the contrasting conjunction and "only" for the limitation.

nevertheless only

Replaces "however" with "nevertheless", providing a more formal tone while retaining the limitation with "only".

notwithstanding only

Similar to "nevertheless only", using "notwithstanding" for a formal contrast.

however exclusively

Substitutes "merely" with "exclusively", emphasizing the single, limited aspect being considered.

however solely

Similar to "however exclusively", using "solely" to highlight the single aspect.

but barely

Conveys a sense of doing something to the slightest degree.

yet scarcely

Indicates that something is only just the case or only just done.

only to a limited extent

Emphasizes that the action or state is restricted in scope or degree.

FAQs

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

Use "however merely" to introduce a contrast, indicating that something falls short of expectations. For example, "The report, "however merely" articulates handwriting that's been on the wall for a while."

What phrases are similar to "however merely"?

Similar phrases include "however simply", "but just", or "yet only". These alternatives can provide similar meaning while adjusting the tone or formality.

Is "however merely" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "however merely" is suitable for formal writing due to its precise and clear way of expressing a contrast or limitation. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "however merely" and "however only"?

"However merely" suggests that something is just the base case, while "however only" indicates that this condition is exclusive. The choice depends on whether you wish to emphasize insufficiency or exclusivity.