merely passing

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely passing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is brief or temporary. For example, "It was merely passing curiosity that led him to investigate further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Merely passing the hours is no substitute for aesthetic wonder.

The New Yorker

She had been on her way home, merely passing by.

The New Yorker

Merely passing a standardized test was hardly something to aspire to.

The New York Times

Since much farm work is seasonal, this tactic suits people who are merely passing by.

The Economist

Over on Coffee House, Fraser Nelson said he believed the Speaker was merely "passing the buck".

The Guardian

Sadly no; they are merely passing through - to get on stage for their 'dress run'.

The Guardian

At one stage an elderly woman informs them they are merely passing through.

The Guardian - Film

But steelmakers complain that they are merely passing on the rising costs of coke and iron ore.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

As critics began to attack the proposal, Mr. Fossella began to move away from the plan, saying that he was merely passing along information.

The New York Times

Which strategies and reforms are truly demonstrating results and which are merely passing fads?

Stanford University

For years I felt as if I was merely passing as a novelist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely passing" to convey the idea that something is temporary or lacks significant impact. For example, "The storm was merely passing, and the sun soon reappeared."

Common error

Avoid using "merely passing" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise or nuanced term might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "The student was merely passing the course", consider "The student was achieving a marginal grade in the course".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely passing" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that an action or state is occurring briefly or without significant impact. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys a sense of temporality or lack of deep involvement. Many examples show this phrase used to describe physical movement or a transient state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely passing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is happening briefly, temporarily, or without significant impact. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedia sources underscores its broad applicability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in formal writing, as more precise terms may be more appropriate. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "just passing through" or "simply going by" for similar meanings. Overall, "merely passing" is a useful phrase for conveying the transient nature of an event or state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just passing through

Emphasizes the transient nature of something, like a brief visit or temporary state.

transiently present

Similar to "just passing through", emphasizing the fleeting nature of something.

simply going by

Highlights the act of moving past something without stopping or engaging.

briefly traversing

Emphasizes the act of quickly moving across or through something.

only briefly present

Focuses on the short duration of someone or something's presence.

not truly involved

Indicates a lack of genuine participation or commitment.

superficially engaged

Suggests a shallow or insincere level of participation.

casually observing

Emphasizes a non-committal and detached observation.

fleetingly apparent

Highlights the short duration for which something is noticeable.

momentarily visible

Stresses the very brief appearance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely passing" to indicate that something is happening briefly or without significant impact. For instance, "The celebrity was "just passing through" the town and didn't stop to sign autographs."

What's a good alternative to "merely passing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "simply going by", "only briefly present", or "transiently present", depending on the context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "just passing" instead of "merely passing"?

Yes, "just passing" is a common and often interchangeable alternative to "merely passing", although the nuance may differ slightly depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "merely passing"?

Use "merely passing" when you want to emphasize that something is temporary, superficial, or lacks substantial importance or involvement in a particular situation.