is not purely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not purely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not exclusively or entirely one thing, often in discussions about concepts or characteristics. Example: "The solution is not purely theoretical; it also has practical applications in the real world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is not purely economics.

The New York Times

Our motive is not purely environmental.

The New York Times

The issue is not purely spiritual.

The New York Times

Depth is not purely systemic.

The Guardian - Tech

The question is not purely academic.

The Guardian

This is not purely a Brexit story.

The Guardian - Opinion

But his legacy is not purely abstract.

The New York Times

Analysis suggests that the detection circuit is not purely resistive.

Journal of Manufacturing Processes

But it is not purely a tribute to Islam.

The Guardian - Sport

But the growth of city cycling is not purely utilitarian.

The Guardian

In fact, Mr. Putin's agenda is not purely ideological.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not purely", ensure that you clearly articulate what other aspects or components are also relevant to the subject being discussed. This adds depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is not purely" without specifying the other contributing factors. Omitting these details can leave your statement incomplete and potentially misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not purely" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is not exclusively one thing but has other contributing factors or aspects. Ludwig AI shows it’s often used to add nuance to statements, suggesting complexity beyond a single attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Science & Research

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not purely" is a versatile qualifier used to introduce complexity and avoid oversimplification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and research. It signals that a subject has multiple dimensions or influences, preventing a reductionist interpretation. While alternatives like "is not solely" and "is not entirely" exist, "is not purely" emphasizes that something isn't ideally one single thing. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly articulate the other relevant aspects to add depth and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not solely

Replaces 'purely' with 'solely', emphasizing that something is not exclusively one thing.

is not entirely

Uses 'entirely' instead of 'purely' to convey that something is not completely one thing.

is not exclusively

Replaces 'purely' with 'exclusively', stressing that something is not limited to one aspect.

is not completely

Substitutes 'purely' with 'completely', suggesting that something has other dimensions.

is not merely

Replaces 'purely' with 'merely', indicating that something is more than just one thing.

is not wholly

Uses 'wholly' instead of 'purely' to convey that something isn't entirely one thing.

is not simply

Substitutes 'purely' with 'simply', highlighting the multifaceted nature of something.

is not absolutely

Uses 'absolutely' instead of 'purely' to imply that something is not completely defined by one characteristic.

is not just

Uses 'just' to indicate that there are additional factors beyond the one being considered.

is not only

Indicates that something has additional elements beyond the one mentioned.

FAQs

What does "is not purely" mean?

The phrase "is not purely" indicates that something is not exclusively or entirely one thing, but also involves other elements or considerations.

How can I use "is not purely" in a sentence?

You can use it to express that a situation, motive, or characteristic has more than one aspect. For example, "The decision "is not purely" based on financial reasons; ethical concerns also play a role".

What can I say instead of "is not purely"?

You can use alternatives like "is not solely", "is not simply", or "is not entirely" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is not purely" or "is not entirely"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "is not entirely" might suggest a larger degree of mixture, while ""is not purely"" emphasizes that something isn't ideally one single thing.