merely based

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely based" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only founded on a specific idea or principle, often implying a limitation. Example: "The conclusions drawn from the study are merely based on preliminary data and require further validation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our results indicate a strikingly higher sensitivity of the extended Taxy-Pro mixture model when compared with homology-based classification methods merely based on genomic reference data.

Bioinformatics

But Snowden's claim isn't merely based on the quantity of news he has generated; his contribution is much larger than that.

The New Yorker

Admittedly it deals with a young cub robbed of his throne by a murderous uncle: a fact which led Peter Conrad to make the incredible claim that the musical was not merely based on Hamlet but actually superior to it.

The Guardian

In practice this means that applications accept 'you' as 'you' not merely based on whether you have used the correct password, but based on whether you are behaving like you.

The Guardian

However, these evaluations merely based on observations are seen to be inadequate.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Besides, implementing the mentioned methods merely based on their publications results in an unfair comparison.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

As yet, the majority of phytotherapeutics in use in the European community is approved merely based on such empirical knowledge.

Clinical Phytoscience

We restrict our attention to stationary policies that take decisions merely based on the current system state information.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The structural evidence is merely based on the comparison of the obtained UV spectra with that of a BB standard.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The reduction in termination rate due to segregation cannot be predicted merely based on the average number of propagating radicals per particle (¯np).

Polymer

Although there were differences compared with the present-day coastal management, it was already more advanced than the management systems merely based on custom, taboos and cultural norms.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely based" to indicate that a conclusion or action relies solely on a specific factor, often suggesting a potential limitation or oversimplification. For instance, "The decision was "merely based" on initial findings, requiring further investigation."

Common error

While "merely based" is acceptable, overuse can undermine the credibility of an argument. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "primarily based" or "exclusively based" if they more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely based" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase by describing the basis or foundation upon which something rests. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often implies a sense of limitation or insufficiency in that basis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely based" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something relies solely on a specific foundation, often implying a limitation. Ludwig AI’s analysis confirms its frequent presence in scientific and news contexts. While acceptable, be mindful of its potentially negative connotation and explore stronger alternatives like "solely based" or "primarily based" depending on your intended emphasis. Ensure you're not over-relying on this phrase and consider the message you are trying to convey to avoid undermining the credibility of your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely based

Emphasizes exclusivity, indicating that something is based only on one thing.

purely based

Stresses the unmixed or unadulterated nature of the basis.

simply based

Highlights the straightforward or uncomplicated nature of the foundation.

only based

Focuses on the limitation of the basis, similar to "merely based".

exclusively based

Reinforces that there are no other factors involved in the basis.

primarily based

Indicates that the basis is the main, but not necessarily the only, factor.

fundamentally based

Highlights that the basis is a core or essential aspect.

essentially based

Indicates that the basis is the most important or defining aspect.

largely based

Shows that the basis is a significant portion of the reason or foundation.

principally based

Similar to primarily based indicating a main guiding factor.

FAQs

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

Use "merely based" to express that something is founded solely on a particular element, often implying a restriction or insufficiency. For example: "His confidence was "merely based" on external validation."

What are some alternatives to "merely based"?

You can use alternatives like "solely based", "purely based", or "simply based" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a negative connotation to using "merely based"?

Yes, "merely based" often carries a slightly negative connotation. It suggests that the foundation is insufficient or that other important factors have been overlooked. It implies a limitation in scope or understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "merely based" instead of "based on"?

"Merely based" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the limited or potentially inadequate nature of the foundation. "Based on" is more neutral, simply indicating the foundation without implying any judgment about its sufficiency.