mere person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the insignificance or simplicity of an individual in a particular context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, I am just a mere person trying to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

His public persona is subject to transformations and celebrations that are outside his control and above his formidable pay grade even as his mere person — the very source of his strength — endures the benign neglect of his heroic mantle.

The New Yorker

It's as if his subjectivity gains a higher, impersonal, transcendent authority — a self-separating, self-sustaining voice over and above that of his own mere person — not from the doctrine of the Catholic Church but from its aesthetic.

The New Yorker

The novel insists that to live in an age of gods and sorcerers is to know that you, a mere person, might be crushed by indifferent forces at a moment's notice, then quickly forgotten.

The New Yorker

A mere person, caught between temples in a barren expanse, feels the urge to scurry for cover like a roach.

Los Angeles Times

It was to delve into these questions that I set up the Beckley Foundation, realizing that, as a Foundation, I could be much more effective than as a mere person.

Huffington Post

With the arrest of Raymond Clark on charges of murdering Annie Le, the New Haven police now seem to be acknowledging that he was more than a mere "person of interest" when they handcuffed him and took him into custody two days earlier.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There is a long-standing tradition that no person, no mere mortal, should presume to possess the name of God.

Huffington Post

Strider did everything within his power to ensure that no white man was brought to justice for killing a mere black person.

The New York Times - Books

And a local news report reveals that a mere ONE person turned up to the X Factor's Colchester auditions this week, with producers only able to lure 15 to 20 further people off the street all day.

The Guardian

Hereupon, as report says, he went to Xerxes, and advised him, in addition to all that he had urged before, to plead- that at the time when he was born Darius was already king, and bore rule over the Persians; but when Artabazanes came into the world, he was a mere private person.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In a previous study focused on the perception of humans by horses using the same tests described above [27], it appeared that aggressive behaviours to humans in the mere motionless person test could predict similar aggressive reactions in all other situations.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere person" to emphasize the limitations or ordinariness of an individual in a situation, especially when contrasted with powerful forces or extraordinary circumstances. It can add a layer of humility or vulnerability to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mere person" too frequently in formal or professional writing, as it can sometimes sound dismissive or condescending. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "individual" or "person" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere person" functions as a noun phrase modified by the adjective "mere". It's used to describe an individual, often emphasizing their ordinariness, insignificance, or lack of power. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere person" is grammatically correct and functions as an adjective-noun phrase to emphasize the ordinariness or insignificance of an individual, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While usable across various contexts, its register is neutral, leaning towards informal. It is often employed in news, academic, and scientific writings to contrast the individual with a grander entity or circumstance. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "ordinary individual" or "simple human" depending on the specific emphasis required. Overuse in formal settings should be avoided for a more neutral tone. As seen through various examples, "mere person" serves to highlight humility, vulnerability, or the contrast between individual limitations and greater forces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary individual

Focuses on the individual's common status.

simple human

Emphasizes the basic human qualities without any special attributes.

common mortal

Highlights the human condition of mortality, often in contrast to gods or immortal beings.

average Joe

An informal term indicating a typical or unremarkable man.

typical individual

Highlights that the person is representative of a larger group.

humble being

Focuses on the person's lack of pretension or arrogance.

plain person

Emphasizes the lack of extraordinary qualities or characteristics.

insignificant figure

Highlights the person's lack of importance or influence.

unassuming soul

Focuses on the person's modest and unpretentious nature.

modest character

Highlights the person's humble nature and lack of extravagance.

FAQs

How can I use "mere person" in a sentence?

You can use "mere person" to emphasize the insignificance or ordinariness of someone, such as: "The novel insists that to live in an age of gods and sorcerers is to know that you, a "mere person", might be crushed by indifferent forces at a moment's notice."

What's a good alternative to "mere person"?

Alternatives include "ordinary individual", "simple human", or "common mortal", depending on the context you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "mere person" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "mere person" can sound somewhat dismissive. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "individual" or "person" for a more neutral tone.

What does "mere" imply when used in the phrase "mere person"?

The word "mere" implies that the person is ordinary, insignificant, or lacks special qualities or power. It's often used to highlight the contrast between an individual and something greater or more powerful.