just merely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'just merely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a point, usually a negative point or an undesirable quality. For example, "He was just merely tolerated in the group, not actually liked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It has to go beyond just merely zoning".

The New York Times

But Trump, she said, "doesn't just merely distract people, he disgusts people.

The New Yorker

I am sure the comedian in the image was not doing anything wrong; just merely going about his day.

Independent

More than just merely being loath to challenge these interests, many members of Congress, including some from the president's own party, have championed them.

The New York Times

And I would just be spending my life not having lunch, not playing guitar, not making a record, just merely answering untrue allegations".

The New Yorker

Well, all right, I'm just merely saying voting itself, friends, is not a virtue, and if you don't know anything about it, stay away.

The New York Times

"Just merely mentioning Israel or questioning in any way the effectiveness or humanity of Israel's policies is not the same thing as being pro-Hamas".

The Guardian

September 3, 2013 Possum Comitatus (@Pollytics) On media coverage and getting information - the media is considered to be worse than just merely part of the problem.

The Guardian

"Counsel is just merely looking to inflame this jury and to try and prejudice the memory of the victim and to try to paint him into a bad person," Leventhal argued.

The New Yorker

Drobo itself is just merely a long, black square with LED indicator lights, hard drive bays, and USB cable.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another 14 studies (27.5%) attempted to model these variables in a non-linear manner but only did so for some measures (eg, just phosphorus) or merely dichotomized the variable rather than use multiple categories or splines.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just merely" when you want to downplay the significance of an action or attribute, suggesting it is limited or insufficient. For instance, "He didn't contribute significantly; he was "just merely" present."

Common error

Avoid using "just merely" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and diminish the impact of your message. Vary your language with synonyms like "simply" or "merely" to maintain clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just merely" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the limitation or insignificance of an action or state. It emphasizes that something is basic and nothing more. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, even if the two words are similar in meaning, adding emphasis when combined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just merely" functions as an adverbial modifier used to downplay the significance of something. Ludwig AI affirms that while it may seem redundant, the phrase adds emphasis to the limited nature of an action or state. It is considered grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. While "just merely" is acceptable, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid making your writing sound repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply just

Reverses the order of adverbs but retains the sense of emphasis on simplicity.

only just

Emphasizes the exclusiveness or limited nature of an action or state.

merely simply

Similar to "simply just", it rearranges the words for a slightly different emphasis.

purely just

Highlights the purity or unadulterated nature of something.

solely just

Indicates that something is exclusively and justly so.

barely just

Suggests that something is only achieved by a narrow margin or with minimal effort.

plainly just

Emphasizes the straightforward or obvious nature of something.

strictly just

Indicates a rigid adherence to what is just or fair.

essentially just

Highlights the fundamental or basic nature of something.

primarily just

Suggests that something is mainly or chiefly just.

FAQs

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

Use "just merely" to emphasize that something is limited or insignificant. For example: "The project was "just merely" a starting point, not a comprehensive solution."

What phrases can I use instead of "just merely"?

You can use alternatives like "simply just", "only just", or "merely simply" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "just merely"?

While both words have overlapping meanings, "just merely" is acceptable when aiming to emphasize the limited or insignificant nature of something. However, use it sparingly to avoid redundancy.

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

"Simply" implies ease or lack of complication, while "just merely" emphasizes limitation. Use "simply" when something is straightforward, and "just merely" when something is basic or insufficient.