merely a function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely a function" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves only a specific purpose or role without any additional significance. Example: "In this context, the variable is merely a function of time, representing how the system evolves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not merely a function of affluence.

The New York Times

Nor is the revived interest in Brecht merely a function of politics and poetry.

The Guardian

"Innoveillance -think of Innoveillance -thinkof" market research-itn't merely asfunction of bandwidth.

MIT Technology Review

It is not merely a function of the tax deductibility of interest.

Harvard Business Review

That dynamic is merely a function of many students going to college, and later settling, close to home, he said.

The New York Times

His theories ask us to accept the notion that time is merely a function of our "blurred" human perception.

The Guardian - Books

Nor is his superiority merely a function of his ability to tell good stories in stylish prose.

The New York Times - Books

Some of Mr. Corzine's allies explained that what appeared to be a maddeningly slow move to some was merely a function of the senator's decision-making style.

The New York Times

The hesitations and confusions that characterised the US responses to the Arab spring were not merely a function of weak leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

And would its increase be merely a function of optimized software design, without the difficult process of acquiring knowledge through experience?

The New Yorker

Alternatively, one could view it as merely a function of her 50% ownership of a company that made operating profits of £660m last year.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely a function" to clearly indicate that a phenomenon or outcome is directly and simply related to a single, identifiable cause or factor, avoiding the implication of other contributing influences.

Common error

Avoid using "merely a function" when the relationship is more complex or influenced by multiple factors. Ensure the context truly reflects a straightforward, direct dependency to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely a function" serves as a qualifier, indicating that a particular outcome or attribute is solely dependent on a specific variable or condition. Ludwig examples show it's used to simplify relationships, highlighting direct dependencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely a function" is a versatile expression used to denote that an outcome or characteristic is exclusively determined by a single factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse domains, including science, news, and academia. While it's a common phrase, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the relationship is indeed simple and direct to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "purely dependent on" or "simply a consequence of" can be considered for nuanced variations. The examples provided show the phrase being used to denote that something's value or characteristic relies on one element in particular.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply a consequence of

This alternative highlights the outcome or result aspect, emphasizing that something is a direct result of something else.

purely dependent on

This phrase stresses the reliance on a single factor, suggesting that the outcome is entirely determined by it.

strictly determined by

This alternative emphasizes that there are no other influencing factors; the outcome is solely a result of the specified condition.

solely attributable to

This option highlights the cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that something is only caused by the mentioned factor.

just a matter of

This phrase reduces the complexity, implying that something depends on a single, straightforward factor.

only a product of

This indicates that something results exclusively from the factor mentioned.

nothing more than a result of

This emphasizes that what is being discussed is not complex, but is caused by a specific factor.

primarily a consequence of

This alternative indicates a degree of influence that may not be exclusive but it's the main factor.

largely dictated by

This implies a substantial influence by the factor specified, suggesting significant control over the outcome.

mainly a result of

This indicates that the mentioned factor is the primary cause, but not the only one. There could be other causes, but this is main.

FAQs

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

Use "merely a function" to express that one thing depends solely on another. For example, "The outcome was "merely a function" of the initial conditions."

What's a good alternative to "merely a function"?

Alternatives include "simply a consequence of", "purely dependent on", or "strictly determined by" depending on the context.

Is it ever wrong to use "merely a function"?

Yes, it's incorrect to use "merely a function" if the relationship is complex or influenced by multiple factors. It suggests a single, direct cause, so ensure that's accurate.

What's the difference between "merely a function" and "primarily a function"?

"Merely a function" indicates sole dependence, whereas "primarily a function" suggests that while it's a major factor, other influences may also be present.