merely human

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely human" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the idea that something is limited to the capabilities of humans. For example, "It is impossible to predict the future precisely—that ability is merely human."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

merely human.

The New York Times

I am merely human.

The Guardian

Are they not merely human?

The New York Times - Books

It dwarfs and enlarges what is merely human.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lacking any sexual component, the images are merely human.

The Guardian - Arts

The merely human characters are vivid and likeable, the story is lively and often quite funny.

The Guardian - Books

(Hollywood's notion of movie "magic" has evolved well past the merely human).

The New York Times

The divine will forever tantalize and elude the imaginations and skills of merely human artists.

The New York Times - Arts

For 58 minutes 26 seconds tonight, Michael Vick was merely human.

The New York Times - Sports

Although the Knicks still won the game, Lin looked merely human and not superhuman.

The Guardian - Sport

The downside to this celebration of the superhuman is a denigration of the merely human.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely human" to contrast human limitations with idealized expectations, supernatural abilities, or artificial intelligence.

Common error

Avoid overuse in formal or scientific writing where a more precise term might be appropriate. Over-reliance on "merely human" can sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely human" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, typically to describe someone or something as limited by human capabilities or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely human" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight the limitations and imperfections inherent in human nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for contrasting human abilities with idealized expectations or non-human attributes. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, "merely human" serves to emphasize ordinariness, often evoking a sense of understanding or acceptance of human fallibility. While versatile, overuse in formal contexts should be avoided to prevent sounding cliché. Alternatives such as "only human" or "simply human" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only human

Focuses on the inherent limitations of being human, often used to excuse mistakes or shortcomings.

simply human

Highlights the basic, unexceptional nature of human beings.

just human

Emphasizes the ordinary and common aspects of humanity.

plainly human

Indicates the evident and undeniable human qualities.

inherently human

Focuses on characteristics that are a natural and essential part of being human.

fundamentally human

Highlights the basic and essential human traits.

naturally human

Emphasizes the instinctive and unforced nature of human behavior.

wholly human

Stresses the complete and total nature of being human, without any additions or exceptions.

completely human

Highlights the exhaustive human qualities present.

entirely human

Focuses on the total and unrestricted humanness.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely human" to emphasize the limitations of human capabilities, such as, "Predicting the stock market with certainty is impossible; that ability is "merely human"."

What's the difference between "merely human" and "only human"?

"Merely human" emphasizes limitations or ordinariness, while "only human" often serves as an excuse for mistakes. You might say, "The task was "merely human", not superhuman," versus "I made a mistake, I'm "only human"."

What are some alternatives to saying "merely human"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "simply human", "just human", or "plainly human" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "merely human" in academic writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less precise than other alternatives. Ensure it fits the tone and context of your academic work.