merely because of

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely because of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to express that something happened or is the case simply because of a specific reason. For example, "I accepted the job offer merely because of the salary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across Baluchistan, thousands have been arrested, often merely because of their alleged nationalist opinions.

The Economist

Now it is splintering, and not merely because of the SNP.

The Economist

I offer that as a proviso merely because of what is about to follow.

The Economist

But Ferrucci also argued that Watson might lose merely because of bad luck.

The New York Times - Magazine

That is not merely because of her poverty, or that of Sierra Leone.

The New York Times - Health

Holloway was unlikely to change his stance merely because of the identity of the bidder.

The Guardian - Sport

Traditional marketing is collapsing – not merely because of costs, but because commercial activity is distrusted.

The Guardian - Film

But he warned against ignoring the burden of consumers' debts merely because of their current behavior.

The New York Times

Bringing diversity to Hollywood … not merely because of colour, but politics as well".

The Guardian - Film

That's a shocking figure – not merely because of the huge number of women involved.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The question persists not merely because of the inanity or the collapse of his policies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely because of" to clearly and concisely indicate that a single reason is the primary or only cause of something, avoiding unnecessary complexity in your explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "merely because of" when multiple factors contribute to an outcome. This phrase can oversimplify complex situations and diminish the importance of other influencing elements. Instead, acknowledge multiple factors to provide a more nuanced and accurate explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely because of" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a particular reason is the sole or primary cause of a situation or event. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples show its use in attributing outcomes directly to specific factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely because of" is a causal connector used to emphasize that something occurs primarily or solely due to a specific reason. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, it is important to be mindful of oversimplifying complex issues. Alternative phrases like "solely due to" or "purely on account of" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Ultimately, the effectiveness of "merely because of" lies in its clear, concise ability to communicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely due to

Emphasizes that the reason is the only factor involved.

simply as a result of

Highlights the direct and uncomplicated nature of the cause-and-effect relationship.

purely on account of

Suggests that the reason is the only consideration, often implying a lack of other relevant factors.

exclusively owing to

Similar to "solely due to", but with a slightly more formal tone.

only by reason of

Stresses that the specified cause is the exclusive basis for the outcome.

just by virtue of

Indicates that something is a consequence of a particular quality or state.

directly attributable to

More formal; emphasizes a clear and direct causal link.

entirely thanks to

Highlights the positive impact of a cause, often expressing gratitude.

fundamentally because

Focuses on a basic and essential reason, often overshadowing other factors.

primarily triggered by

Emphasizes that the reason was the main factor that initiated the event or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "merely because of" in a sentence?

Use "merely because of" to indicate that something occurs or is the case simply and directly due to a specific reason. For example, "He was excluded from the team "merely because of" his height."

What are some alternatives to "merely because of"?

Alternatives include "solely due to", "simply as a result of", or "purely on account of", which offer similar meanings but with slightly different emphasis. The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "merely because of"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate if you're trying to explain a complex situation with multiple contributing factors. "Merely because of" suggests a single, primary cause, which might oversimplify the reality. In such cases, it's better to use phrases that acknowledge multiple influences.

What's the difference between "merely because of" and "simply because of"?

While both phrases indicate a straightforward cause, "merely because of" often implies a sense of inadequacy or that the reason is surprisingly simple, while "simply because of" just points to the direct cause without necessarily suggesting surprise or inadequacy.