merely one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'merely one' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is the only one in a particular group or set. For example, "He was merely one of hundreds of applicants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The design and development of information systems should focus on a wider context than merely one user group or organization.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

"This is merely one step".

The New York Times

Moore is merely one example.

The New Yorker

That was merely "one of the factors".

The Guardian - Business

And this, of course, is merely one station".

The New York Times

That meal was merely one among many that delighted us.

The New York Times

The issue is not merely one of time.

The New York Times

A second issue is merely one of fairness.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

His critics, generally dogmatic religious types, are merely one-dimensional villains.

The New York Times

Johnson's receptions accounted for merely one-third of Matt Schaub's completions.

The New York Times

Crimes like these aren't merely one-offs in Alberta.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely one", ensure the sentence provides the larger context to which the 'one' belongs, otherwise the phrase can seem incomplete or dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "merely one" when the single item or factor you are discussing is, in fact, crucial or significant. This can undermine your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

"Merely one" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is just a single element within a larger group or set. It serves to downplay the importance or significance of that element. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase to be correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely one" is a qualifier used to downplay the significance of a specific element within a larger context. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, with examples spanning across news, media and scientific domains. While it’s grammatically sound and frequently used, writers should avoid overstating importance, or use it when the single item or factor is, in fact, crucial or significant. Alternatives like "simply one", "just one", and "only one" offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply one

Emphasizes ease or straightforwardness in being one.

just one

Highlights the insignificance or small quantity of being one.

only one

Focuses on exclusivity, implying that there are no others.

solely one

Underscores that it is the only factor or item.

uniquely one

Highlights the distinct and individual nature of being one.

singularly one

Emphasizes the exceptional or remarkable nature of being one.

particularly one

Highlights a specific item or aspect as an example.

especially one

Emphasizes the special or notable quality of being one.

primarily one

Indicates that it is the main or most important.

principally one

Highlights the foundational or fundamental aspect of being one.

FAQs

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

Use "merely one" to indicate that something is just one among many or to downplay its significance. For example, "This setback is "merely one" of the challenges we face."

What can I say instead of "merely one"?

You can use alternatives like "simply one", "just one", or "only one" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "merely one" and "only one"?

"Merely one" tends to downplay the importance or quantity, while "only one" emphasizes exclusivity and the absence of others.

When is it appropriate to use "merely one"?

It's appropriate to use "merely one" when you want to show that something is just a single element within a larger group and not necessarily the most important or significant one.