merely concerned with

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely concerned with" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's focus or interest in something. Example: The professor's lecture was not about finding a solution to the problem, but was merely concerned with explaining its complexities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The wholesale distributors insist that they're not merely concerned with profits.

The New York Times

He is not merely concerned with lies about sex; he is concerned that lies may be a presidential habit.

The Economist

Banerji suggests that urban form is a mode of transformation of the imagination and not merely concerned with the 'thingliness' of the city.

University of California, Berkeley

Contrary to what Mr. Benenson's public memo suggested, the Obama campaign wasn't merely concerned with those who had already moved because of the Ryan pick.

The New York Times

I am merely concerned with showing that certain terms we borrow from theology have validity in a secular approach to our problems.

The New Yorker

"Great powers that have no reason to fight each other -- that are merely concerned with their own survival -- nevertheless have little choice but to pursue power and to seek to dominate the other states in the system," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

While that reaction was predictable if you're familiar with how the internet normally handles issues of race, Jerry's basic thesis was merely that he's only concerned with what's funny.

Vice

However, these initial differences merely concerned the approach probability.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

More often, they are just as concerned with merely getting a hit.

The New York Times - Sports

Most residents profess support for the Syrian opposition, though a number are in favour of the Assad regime and the rest appear merely apathetic, more concerned with looking after their families while fighting continues in their various hometowns.

Vice

The plot merely concerns a young girl, India (Wasikowska), coping with the sudden death of her father and the equally sudden arrival of her mysterious Uncle Charlie (Goode).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely concerned with" to indicate that the subject's focus is limited and potentially overlooks other important aspects. For example: "The report was merely concerned with short-term profits, ignoring long-term sustainability."

Common error

Avoid using "merely concerned with" when the subject's focus is appropriate or comprehensive. Overusing it can create a dismissive tone where it's not warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely concerned with" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a limited or restricted focus of attention or interest. As noted by Ludwig AI, it expresses that someone is principally or exclusively interested in something, often implying that other aspects are being ignored or undervalued. The provided examples showcase the phrase's use in various contexts to convey this nuanced meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely concerned with" is a phrase used to express a limited or restricted focus, often implying that other aspects are being overlooked. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its function is to convey a specific nuance related to limited interest or attention, often carrying a critical undertone. While adaptable, its register leans towards neutral to formal. When using this phrase, ensure that the limitation is indeed warranted, as overusing it can create a dismissive tone. Consider related alternatives like "solely interested in" or "primarily interested in" to adjust the intensity of the focus. By understanding its purpose and context, writers can effectively utilize "merely concerned with" to convey specific meanings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly focused on

Comparable to 'only focused on', but possibly less absolute in its exclusion of other concerns.

just focused on

Suggests that the concern is limited to a specific aspect, without deeper involvement.

only focused on

Highlights a narrow focus, suggesting a potential disregard for other relevant factors.

largely focused on

Highlights that the focus is mainly towards certain aspects of a subject.

chiefly concerned with

Similar to 'primarily', but implies a hierarchical importance of the concern.

particularly concerned with

Demonstrates a high degree of concern with certain things rather than general care.

solely interested in

Emphasizes exclusive interest, conveying a stronger sense of limitation than the original phrase.

exclusively interested in

Indicates that the interest is confined to specific details or aspects, excluding others.

simply interested in

Highlights the lack of complexity, where the concern is more limited or straightforward.

primarily interested in

Indicates a main interest, allowing for the possibility of other secondary concerns.

FAQs

How can I use "merely concerned with" in a sentence?

Use "merely concerned with" to express that someone is only interested in a specific aspect of something, possibly neglecting other important details. For example: "The politician seemed "only concerned with" winning the election, and not with the needs of his constituents."

What's the difference between "merely concerned with" and "primarily concerned with"?

"Merely concerned with" suggests a limited or narrow focus, while "primarily concerned with" indicates a main focus among potentially other concerns. "Primarily concerned with" allows for additional interests, whereas "merely" implies a stronger sense of limitation.

Which is correct, "merely concerned with" or "just concerned with"?

Both "merely concerned with" and "just concerned with" are grammatically correct, but "merely" often carries a slightly more formal or critical tone. The choice depends on the desired nuance and context.

What can I say instead of "merely concerned with" to sound more positive?

If you want to sound more positive, consider using phrases like "focused on", "interested in", or "dedicated to" which can convey a sense of purpose without implying limitation. Context is always important.