is merely

USAGE SUMMARY

"is merely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is nothing more than a small part or action in a larger context. For example: "Learning to code is merely one part of the process needed to build a website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Young's is merely artless.

The New Yorker

It is merely foolish.

The New York Times

It is merely expressive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is merely surprising.

The Guardian - Books

"Malala's story is merely beginning".

Independent

It is merely being human.

The New York Times

That is merely an excerpt.

The New York Times - Books

It is merely life support.

The New York Times - Science

Hiring is merely creeping along.

The Economist

The third is merely absurd.

The New York Times

Money is merely one problem.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is merely" to downplay an aspect of a situation, indicating it's not the most important or only factor.

Common error

Avoid using "is merely" when the subject is actually significant or complex. It can diminish the importance of something that deserves more attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is merely" functions as an adverbial modifier, limiting or qualifying the statement being made. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is nothing more than a small part or action in a larger context. The examples show it downplaying aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is merely" serves to downplay or qualify a statement, indicating that something is not as significant as it might seem. Ludwig AI highlights its role in showing that something is only a small action within a larger context. While grammatically correct and very common, as demonstrated by the numerous examples, it's important to use "is merely" judiciously to avoid unintentionally diminishing the importance of significant subjects. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, with science and encyclopedias also employing it regularly, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. Related phrases include "is simply", "is just", and "is only", each with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is simply

Emphasizes ease or lack of complication.

is just

Highlights the exactness or fairness of something.

is only

Underscores exclusivity or limitation.

is purely

Stresses the unmixed or unadulterated nature of something.

is solely

Focuses on a single reason or cause.

is exclusively

Indicates restriction to a particular group or thing.

is nothing more than

Emphasizes the insignificance of something.

amounts to only

Quantifies the limited extent of something.

is no more than

Highlights a small quantity or degree.

is reduced to

Indicates a decline or simplification of something.

FAQs

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

Use "is merely" to indicate that something is only a small part of a larger whole or less important than it seems. For instance, "The first step "is merely" the beginning of a long process."

What are some alternatives to "is merely"?

Alternatives include "is simply", "is just", or "is only". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is merely"?

It's appropriate when you want to downplay something or show it's not the main point. Be careful not to diminish the importance of something that actually is significant. For example, "The symptom "is merely" indicative of a larger problem."

What's the difference between "is merely" and "is simply"?

"Is merely" suggests something is insignificant or less important, while "is simply" suggests something is straightforward or easy. The difference lies in whether you're emphasizing insignificance or ease.