in mere fragments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in mere fragments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is incomplete or broken into small parts, often referring to thoughts, ideas, or physical objects. Example: "The old manuscript was found in mere fragments, making it difficult to piece together the original story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is precisely their size that makes collecting difficult and results in mere fragments of specimens in collections.

The Guardian

There are some sixty works attributed to him, but most of them are now lost or survive in mere fragments.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Through extensive, meticulous analysis, the team traced the origins and the means of movement of each piece of debris, ranging from blocks 100 yard in width to mere fragments.

Wikipedia

Most of the fossils the scientists studied were mere fragments and in very poor condition.

The Guardian

Bones the size of a child and others that are mere fragments have been examined, photographed, checked off lists, placed in cushioning cradles and packed in 16 wooded crates.

BBC

As mere fragments of genes, ESTs by themselves generally have no intrinsic function in an organism.

Science Magazine

Often mere fragments of writing were treasured like relics.

The New York Times - Arts

Many scientists think the authorities grant patents to mere fragments of DNA too liberally.

The New York Times - Books

What are being compared are thus not whole prints, but mere fragments.

The Economist

Nevertheless, as the year in which an eclipse occurred is never mentioned on the preserved oracle bones (many of which are mere fragments), dating of these observations by astronomical calculation has proved extremely difficult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eventually, Rodin even worked with mere fragments such as broken torsos, and he enormously enlarged the range of figure composition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in mere fragments" to convey that something exists only in small, often incomplete, pieces, which can emphasize the difficulty of understanding or reconstructing the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "in mere fragments" when the pieces are substantial or complete. The phrase implies that the remnants are small and potentially insignificant on their own.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in mere fragments" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to describe the state or condition of something existing only in small, broken, or incomplete pieces. Ludwig shows examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in mere fragments" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes something existing only in small, incomplete pieces. According to Ludwig AI, it’s versatile and suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. It is generally neutral in tone, with its frequency labelled as “Common”. The phrase effectively emphasizes the incomplete or diminished state of a subject, highlighting the difficulty in reconstructing or understanding the whole. It is important to consider the scale and nature of the fragments to avoid misapplication. Alternatives include phrases like "in small pieces" or "in fragmentary form", offering nuanced variations on the theme of incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in small pieces

Focuses on the physical state of being broken into smaller parts, highlighting the fragmented nature.

in tiny portions

Emphasizes the small size of the fragments, suggesting a limited amount of something.

in incomplete parts

Highlights the lack of wholeness or integrity, focusing on the unfinished state.

as broken bits

Implies a state of disrepair and disunity, emphasizing the act of breaking.

in fragmentary form

Stresses the form or structure of being fragmented, often used in academic contexts.

only in shards

Suggests a sharp, broken state, often used for physical objects like glass or pottery.

just in scraps

Indicates a small, leftover amount, often used for materials or information.

scarcely whole

Emphasizes the rarity of completeness, suggesting that wholeness is almost non-existent.

largely fragmented

Highlights the overall state of being broken into many pieces, emphasizing the extent of fragmentation.

partially in pieces

Acknowledges some completeness while still emphasizing the presence of fragmented parts.

FAQs

How can I use "in mere fragments" in a sentence?

You can use "in mere fragments" to describe something that is broken into small, incomplete pieces. For example, "The ancient text survived only in mere fragments, making it difficult to decipher its meaning."

What phrases are similar to "in mere fragments"?

Similar phrases include "in small pieces", "in tiny portions", or "in incomplete parts", all suggesting incompleteness or small portions.

Is it appropriate to use "in mere fragments" in formal writing?

Yes, "in mere fragments" is suitable for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and acceptable across different contexts.

What is the difference between "in fragments" and "in mere fragments"?

While both phrases indicate something is not whole, "in mere fragments" emphasizes the smallness and insignificance of the pieces. "In fragments" is a more general term.