merely one thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely one thing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that something is simple or not complex, often in contrast to other possibilities. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, this is merely one thing to consider." Alternative expressions include "just one thing" and "only one aspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Did I ask you to prepare breakfast?" "What?" "Did I ask you to invent a new kind of wheel?" "I don't—" "I asked you to do merely one thing, and you made a disaster of it!" "I just thought it would be helpful".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While I know that it's one step at a time, I worry that the market will see these apps as tools that do only one thing – merely alerting us to nearby people of interest – and will later give up on them when the trendiness wears off.

TechCrunch

But one thing is clear: the sexual abuse of immigration detainees is not an isolated problem, limited to one rogue facility or merely the result of a handful of bad apple government contractors who staff the nation's immigration centers.

Huffington Post

The good biographer tries to resist the rut of merely telling one thing after another, but it's a struggle.

The Guardian - Books

If you're not careful, your negative thoughts about this one solo circumstance can create a downward spiral, where you quickly go from merely thinking "This one thing sucks," to "My whole day sucks," to "My whole life sucks," to "The world sucks," to "Distant galaxies suck".

Huffington Post

By Laura Miller It's one thing merely to ruin your life; to turn it into a mangled, fuming heap of wreckage requires something special a taste for the theatrical.

The New Yorker

I would stand this statement on its head: we must all seek to overcome the misfortune of our birth as merely this or that, one thing or another, French or American, by working hard to see ourselves as others see us.

The New Yorker

After so many bad years they were ready for a win!" However, it's one thing to merely snipe about the Freedom Caucus on Twitter ― threatening its members with a primary election challenge is another matter entirely.

Huffington Post

It would be one thing to merely share this data with advertisers and other third parties — although it isn't something many users would choose, presumably they at least consent to it as part of signing up.

TechCrunch

It's one thing to merely say that we love what we do, but competition is the context in which we get to test our own authenticity.

Huffington Post

Understatement is one thing, but in aiming for it Ishiguro generally achieves the merely ordinary.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely one thing" to downplay the importance or scope of a particular item or action, often in contrast to a larger context or expectation. For example, "While many factors contribute to success, talent is "merely one thing" to consider."

Common error

Avoid using "merely one thing" when the item or action you're describing is actually quite important or complex. This can create a sense of understatement that undermines your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely one thing" functions as a qualifier, limiting the significance or scope of a particular element. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's employed to emphasize simplicity or lack of complexity, often in contrast to other possibilities. The examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely one thing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to downplay the significance of a single element among many. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears frequently in news, media, scientific, and business contexts, and is slightly more formal than alternatives like "just one thing". When using the phrase, be mindful of the potential for understatement and ensure it aligns with the intended message. As demonstrated by examples, it serves to provide perspective by indicating that, while something exists or is relevant, it’s not necessarily the most important aspect of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a single aspect

Emphasizes the singularity and limitation of the aspect being considered.

simply one item

Highlights the simplicity and individual nature of the item.

only one element

Focuses on the exclusivity and isolated nature of the element.

solely one component

Stresses that there's just one contributing part involved.

barely a single entity

Underlines the minimal significance of the entity.

hardly more than a detail

Minimizes the importance, presenting it as a minor detail.

just an isolated fact

Highlights the isolated and detached nature of the fact.

a trivial matter alone

Suggests that the thing is not important and stands by itself.

a negligible aspect only

Indicates that the aspect has little to no impact or significance.

fundamentally a unique factor

Focuses more on uniqueness than on the limiting aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely one thing" to emphasize that something is just a single aspect among many, often to downplay its importance. For example: "The cost is "merely one thing" to consider when making a decision."

What's a good alternative to "merely one thing"?

Alternatives include "just a single aspect", "simply one item", or "only one element" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference in formality between "merely one thing" and "just one thing"?

"Merely one thing" tends to be slightly more formal than "just one thing". The choice depends on the overall tone and register of your writing.

When should I avoid using "merely one thing"?

Avoid using "merely one thing" when the item or action you're describing is actually quite important or complex. In such cases, it might be more appropriate to use a phrase that acknowledges its significance. For example, "a key factor".