merely in case of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely in case of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a precaution or a condition that is not expected to happen but is being considered. Example: "I brought an umbrella, merely in case of rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is not clear how much longer the investigation might take and whether it is active or open merely in case of further developments.

The New York Times

Community-acquired Escherichia coli adult meningitis is a rare entity which usually occurs merely in case of predisposing factors.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The repulsion between the negatively charged surface and the negative charge on the carboxylate substituent permits an interaction between substrate and investigated molecules merely in the case of maximum charge separation.

Electrochimica Acta

It is not known whether P-protein is active in transport or merely serves as a seal against leakage in case of injury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Similar to all novel point mutations whose causative nature is not supported by a genetic linkage study, the question arises whether mutation T188K is truly pathogenic and not merely a polymorphism accidentally occurring in cases of sCJD.

Plosone

Clashes between Sunnis and Alawites in Lebanon are not merely a case of the Syrian crisis "spreading" – underlying them are dynamics that hark back to the period leading to the Lebanese civil war in 1975.

The Guardian - Opinion

This further emphasizes the need for samples such as ours where one can follow patients prospectively with the aim of finding characteristics that will allow us to separate the two groups and determine whether the diagnostic drift is in fact a drift or merely a case of inaccurate diagnosis.

BMC Psychiatry

In actuality, Black said, it was merely a case of "insufficient documentation".

The New Yorker

Olecranon fractures are commonly seen in patients merely slipping or falling onto their arm as well as in cases of high energy trauma.

Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

Even if it is not possible to lie to eavesdroppers, or to those merely listening in, as in the case of kibbitzing, it may be possible to lie in the cases of bogus disclosure, as in the example above of Mickey saying to Danny, "The pick-up is at midnight tomorrow," with the intention of deceiving the F.B.I. agents listening in.

SEP

A betrayal of artistic standards (actual or merely potential) in the case of the "Fidelio" has just been suggested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely in case of" when you want to explicitly state that something is done as a precaution, even if the likelihood of the event is low. It adds a layer of intentionality to the preventive action.

Common error

Avoid using "merely in case of" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "just in case" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely in case of" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a condition or reason for a precautionary action. Ludwig examples show it qualifying why something is done, even if the likelihood is low. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely in case of" is a valid prepositional phrase used to express precaution or contingency, as highlighted by Ludwig. It conveys that an action is taken as a safeguard, even if the triggering event is unlikely. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare and skews toward formal contexts like news, science, and encyclopedic writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "just in case" in more casual settings. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Remember to use it to emphasize intentionality behind actions taken as safeguards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just in case

Shortens the phrase while retaining the meaning of taking a precaution.

only in case

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the action or situation.

in the event that

Presents a more formal alternative for expressing a conditional situation.

if only

Expresses a wish or a condition that is unlikely to be met.

as a precaution

Focuses on the act of taking preventive measures.

to be on the safe side

Highlights the motivation for avoiding potential risks.

on the off chance

Implies that something is unlikely, but still worth considering.

for fear that

Emphasizes the anxiety or worry motivating the precaution.

lest

A formal word indicating that something should be done to prevent something bad from happening

in anticipation of

Highlights the expectation or foresight related to a potential event.

FAQs

What does "merely in case of" mean?

"Merely in case of" means that something is done as a precaution or preparation for a possible event, even if that event is unlikely. It emphasizes that the action is taken as a safeguard.

When is it appropriate to use "merely in case of"?

It's appropriate in situations where you want to highlight the precautionary nature of an action. It works well in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the intentionality behind taking a safeguard. In casual settings, simpler phrases like "just in case" might be more suitable.

Are there any synonyms for "merely in case of"?

Yes, some synonyms include "just in case", "only in case", "in the event that", or "as a precaution". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "merely in case of" formal or informal?

"Merely in case of" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "just in case". It's suitable for professional or academic writing where precision and a more deliberate tone are desired.