mere extension of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere extension of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is simply an addition or continuation of something else, often implying that it lacks significance or originality. Example: "The new policy is just a mere extension of the previous regulations, offering no real improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Mere extension of range is not vision - of that we are quite certain.

The New Yorker

Some indeed see the IPO market as a mere extension of the venture-capital boom, and not its cause.

The Economist

In some respects this was a mere extension of the idea that in total war the strategic goal was to break the will of a society to resist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems we can expect a mere extension of the prevailing agricultural paradigm of chemical dependence, rather than the reduced reliance on pesticides that proponents of transgenic plants claim.

The New York Times

Mr. Woodward writes that John Podesta, the director of Mr. Obama's transition team, "had the strong impression that Obama wanted a national security adviser who wasn't perceived as his guy, a mere extension of the president".

The New York Times - Books

Turkey, at first a mere extension of the Seljuk sultanate of Iran in the mid-11th century, became the autonomous "Sultanate of Rum" after the Mongol invasion of Iran of 1219 to 1221.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Many of them were mere extensions of the same mafia clans that had already infiltrated politics and economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of these shifts will be profound; others are, for now, mere extensions of the proprietary networks that many big firms were already using.

The Economist

The F.D.A. approved the retrofitted linear accelerators with little review on the grounds that they were mere extensions of existing technology.

The New York Times - Health

The judge thereby dismissed a point made by the student's lawyers: "If we are to understand the dogs' muzzles as mere extensions of the nostrils of the principal, then Highland's school administrators have been sticking their noses into some singular places.

The New Yorker

Others cannot be assumed to be mere extensions of myself.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mere extension of", ensure the context clearly conveys that the addition or continuation is unremarkable and lacks substantial innovation. Consider whether a stronger term might be more appropriate if the extension has significant impact.

Common error

Avoid using "mere extension of" when the addition actually introduces notable changes or improvements. Overusing the phrase can undermine the value of legitimate advancements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere extension of" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is simply a continuation or addition, often suggesting it lacks significant change or innovation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, supported by examples in news and academic articles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere extension of" serves to qualify something as being simply an addition or continuation, often implying a lack of originality. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, its function is to downplay the importance of the item to which it refers. It's primarily found in news, science and encyclopedic contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, making it suitable for analytical and descriptive writing but maybe less suitable in contexts that requires a lighter tone. Related phrases include "simple continuation of", "basic addition to", and "slight expansion of". Remember to consider the impact of the extension to avoid undermining actual improvements and choose a more appropriate description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple continuation of

Focuses on the continuation aspect, omitting the potential lack of significance implied by "mere".

basic addition to

Emphasizes the additive nature, potentially downplaying any implied insignificance.

slight expansion of

Highlights the expansion aspect, suggesting a minimal increase or development.

pure continuation of

Stresses the uninterrupted nature of the continuation, reinforcing simplicity.

straightforward addition to

Implies a clear and uncomplicated addition, omitting possible complexities.

bare augmentation of

Indicates a minimal and unadorned increase or enlargement.

simple augmentation of

Similar to 'bare augmentation', but with a slightly less negative connotation.

sheer expansion of

Highlights that the change is purely quantitative, with little qualitative difference.

plain prolongation of

Indicates an extension in time, devoid of significant modifications or embellishments.

unadorned continuation of

Highlights the absence of embellishment or modification during the continuation.

FAQs

How can I use "mere extension of" in a sentence?

You can use "mere extension of" to describe something that is simply an addition or continuation of something else, often implying a lack of significance or originality. For example, "The new feature is a "mere extension of" the existing software, offering no groundbreaking functionality".

What are some alternatives to "mere extension of"?

Alternatives include "simple continuation of", "basic addition to", or "slight expansion of", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "mere extension of"?

Use "mere extension of" when you want to downplay the novelty or impact of something, suggesting it is largely the same as what came before. Be careful not to diminish genuine progress.

Is "mere extension of" a formal or informal phrase?

"Mere extension of" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though its slightly dismissive tone might be better suited to analytical or critical contexts rather than celebratory ones.