mere human being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere human being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the simplicity or ordinariness of a person in contrast to something greater or more complex. Example: "In the face of such overwhelming challenges, I often feel like just a mere human being, struggling to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And a few humbling realizations: That the Bighorn Mountains could not be conquered by a mere human being on foot.

The New York Times - Sports

Few of the newspaper readers currently struggling with quantities of information that no mere human being could digest would have any further questions about the area.

The Guardian

Given the nature of the laws, many of which are open to interpretation, it surprises me that any mere human being should attempt to test himself to this degree on a weekly basis.

Independent

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Unitarians in England and America were unwilling either to reduce Christ to a mere human being or to attribute to him a divine nature identical with that of the Father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is, however, also a downward limit to how far a person can fall, since one cannot descend below the level at which one becomes a mere human being with certain minimum irreducible rights and responsibilities.

SEP

For a mere human being, a table at Rao's in Manhattan is a harder get than a ticket to the Broadway production of Hamilton, but apparently a connection with a horse will open the doors of even the most exclusive of enclaves.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As such, it has an air of being entirely too good for mere human beings.

The New Yorker

"He has staying power and can outlast mere human beings in sticking to the cogent points of his position".

The New York Times

But I've seen plenty of Americans get soppy over animals in ways they never would over mere human beings.

The New York Times

Reading this made me see that as mere human beings, we are its servants; we are here, it seems, to facilitate the process.

The Guardian - Books

Do mere human beings stand a chance against software that claims to reveal what a real-life face-to-face chat can't?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere human being" to emphasize limitations or ordinariness when contrasted with something extraordinary or powerful. For example, "Faced with such complexity, a "mere human being" can feel overwhelmed."

Common error

Avoid using "mere human being" in contexts where simplicity or ordinariness is already implied. Overusing it can sound pretentious or artificially elevate the surrounding language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere human being" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It emphasizes the ordinary or limited nature of a human in contrast to something greater. As Ludwig shows, it often appears in contexts highlighting human fallibility or limitations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere human being" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the ordinary, limited, or insignificant nature of a person, especially when contrasted with something greater or more powerful. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to highlight human fallibility. While it is most commonly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, its use should be deliberate to avoid sounding pretentious. Consider using alternatives like "simple mortal" or "ordinary individual" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple mortal

Replaces "human being" with "mortal", emphasizing the finite nature of human life.

ordinary individual

Substitutes "mere" with "ordinary" and "human being" with "individual", highlighting commonness.

common person

Replaces "human being" with "person" and highlights ordinariness.

just a person

Emphasizes the basic humanity with "just", removing the elevated status.

average joe

An idiomatic expression replacing "human being" with a cultural symbol of ordinariness.

plain person

Using "plain" instead of "mere" to convey simplicity.

mortal being

Focuses on the mortality aspect of human existence.

finite entity

Highlights the limited and bounded nature of human existence.

earthly creature

Focuses on the earthly origins and nature of humans.

human entity

A more formal way of saying human being, keeping the human element.

FAQs

How can I use "mere human being" in a sentence?

You can use "mere human being" to emphasize the limitations or commonness of a person, especially in contrast to something greater. For example, "As a "mere human being", I can't comprehend the vastness of space."

What's a good alternative to "mere human being"?

Alternatives include "simple mortal", "ordinary individual", or "common person", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "mere human being" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "mere human being" might be considered slightly informal or dramatic for some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "human entity" or "ordinary individual" for a more neutral tone.

What does "mere" emphasize in the phrase "mere human being"?

The word "mere" emphasizes the insignificance, simplicity, or commonness of being human, often in comparison to something greater, divine, or more powerful.