it merely has

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it merely has" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something exists or is present in a simple or straightforward manner. Example: "The report is not comprehensive; it merely has a summary of the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It can use its knowledge of the Way to guide behavior, for, Xunzi says, the heart is the ruler of the body: once it settles on a course of action, it merely has to issue its orders, and the body is sure to obey.

SEP

Instead, it merely has a plan for a plan for a plan, effectively commanding Congress to continue fighting over budget priorities through the 2012 elections.

The New York Times

The opening moments are over-baked, as if the production is trying to grab us when it merely has to trust the play's cunning bashfulness.

The Guardian

Instead, at settlement it merely has to accept the cash difference between the market price and the price it has agreed to pay.

The New York Times

An idea doesn't have to be well developed to receive funding; it merely has to show promise in the market.

Forbes

And a score of three doesn't mean a vehicle is unreliable; it merely has a higher rate of problems than the average model.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It merely had slipped his mind: another dark tie, hopefully the same one yet again.

The New York Times - Health

And the banks could argue that a hedge was legitimate if it merely had a "reasonable correlation" with the security or position being hedged.

The New York Times

"It seems to me perfectly clear that he is targeting it, and he merely has to deny pro forma that he is doing so".

The New York Times

Absent an argument for it, they merely have a fixation about it, but it remains practically religious in its intensity.

The New Yorker

Not merely has it been researched extensively and intensively, but also a variety of forecasting methods has been raised.

Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it merely has" to precisely convey that something possesses a quality or performs an action in a limited or basic way. This can help avoid overstating the significance of the attribute being described.

Common error

Avoid using "it merely has" when you intend to emphasize the significance of an attribute. The phrase downplays importance, so choose stronger language if emphasis is your goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it merely has" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something possesses a characteristic or performs an action in a limited or basic manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it merely has" is a grammatically sound construction used to downplay or limit the significance of a particular attribute or action. According to Ludwig AI, it's accurate and usable in written English. While found across various domains, it's most prevalent in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When you aim to suggest a simple or basic quality, "it merely has" provides a precise way to express this limited nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it simply has

Replaces "merely" with "simply", suggesting ease and lack of complexity.

it just has

Uses "just" instead of "merely", indicating a basic or minimal quality.

it only has

Substitutes "merely" with "only", emphasizing exclusivity and limitation.

it solely has

Employs "solely" to underscore that something has one attribute and no other.

it exclusively has

Highlights that something possesses a trait not shared by others.

it basically has

Indicates that something has a characteristic in its fundamental form.

it essentially has

Suggests that something possesses a quality that is key to its nature.

it fundamentally has

Highlights that a quality is a core aspect of something's being.

it nominally has

Implies that a quality exists in name only, possibly without real effect.

it technically has

Indicates a quality exists according to a specific definition, possibly without practical impact.

FAQs

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

Use "it merely has" to indicate that something possesses a quality or performs an action in a simple or limited way. For instance, "The project plan is not complete; "it merely has" the basic steps outlined".

What phrases are similar to "it merely has"?

Similar phrases include "it simply has", "it just has", or "it only has". These alternatives can be used to express a similar sense of limitation or simplicity.

When is it appropriate to use "it merely has"?

It's appropriate to use "it merely has" when you want to downplay the significance of a feature or action, indicating it is basic or not particularly complex. It is effective when contrasting with expectations of something more substantial.

What's the difference between "it merely has" and "it fully has"?

"It merely has" indicates something is limited or basic, while "it fully has" suggests completeness or abundance. The former downplays, whereas the latter emphasizes the extent of a quality or action.