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Discover LudwigThe phrase 'merely have' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an idea that something is less than it could or should be. For example, "He merely has a passing familiarity with the subject, not a thorough understanding."
Exact(58)
Twenty years ago, Togo's neighbours would merely have shrugged.
But fatal attractions don't merely have to be sexual.
Others would merely have toed the party line and persisted.
Columbine's ability to change opinion may merely have been unique.
There are signs that it may merely have moved to new terrain.
In our country God doesn't merely have a place at the table.
He would merely have to show spine enough to embrace Truman's precedent.
Indeed, containerisation could merely have been a response to tumbling tariffs.
BOB DOLE may not have been wrong; he may merely have been prescient.
By comparison, carbon nanotubes merely have potential, and are produced by the gram.
I merely have to hop on the Central Line to get to the show.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com