merely speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely speaking" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English as an adverbial phrase.
It is often used to indicate that something is being said without any deeper meaning or significance. Example: Merely speaking, the boss told us to finish the project by Friday. (This implies that the boss did not have any specific tone or intention behind giving the instruction, simply stating a fact.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This time, he said, she was merely speaking in shorthand.

The New York Times

Or Bill Gates, who is not merely speaking this year, but apparently "curating" his session?

The Guardian - Tech

And later, when asked by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) if he was "merely speaking broadly," Gorsuch took issue.

The Washington Post

Cruz's speech was not technically a filibuster, as it he was merely speaking during a permitted time slot.

The Guardian

It would be wrong, of course, to wish to argue, if these custom-made characters were merely characters and merely speaking for themselves.

The New York Times - Books

GOP officials said Kelner was merely speaking hypothetically about why e-mail might be missing for any staffer and not referring to Rove in particular.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mr Donovan merely speaks of "considerable disagreement".

The Economist

This is absurd, of course: actors merely speak their lines; they don't invent them.

The New Yorker

The culminating chorus, "Ruht wohl" ("Rest well"), should be melting; here it merely spoke of consolation.

The New York Times - Arts

She ended with a flourish, which might have been trumpeted rather than merely spoken.

The Guardian

In "Glorious Appearing," Jesus merely speaks and the bodies of the enemy are ripped open.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely speaking" to downplay the significance or impact of someone's words. It's effective when you want to show that words were said without much thought or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "merely speaking" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound dismissive or informal. Opt for more nuanced phrasing that accurately reflects the speaker's intent and context. For example, use something like "simply stating" or "just mentioning" instead.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrases like "merely speaking" typically modify verbs or clauses, adding information about the manner or circumstance of an action. In this case, it modifies the verb 'to speak', indicating that the action is performed without depth or serious intent, similar to examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely speaking" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase that signifies a lack of depth or serious intent behind spoken words. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's often used to downplay the significance of a statement or to distance the speaker from its implications. Common across various sources, particularly in News & Media, it suggests that words are spoken without commitment or significant thought. While generally acceptable, overuse in formal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "simply speaking" or "just speaking" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis. In conclusion, "merely speaking" serves as a useful tool to portray speech that lacks gravity or purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Simply speaking

This alternative replaces "merely" with "simply", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the speech.

Just speaking

This substitutes "merely" with "just", highlighting the lack of additional purpose or effort in the speaking.

Only speaking

This alternative uses "only" to convey the limited extent or impact of the speaking action.

Merely uttering

This swaps "speaking" with "uttering", suggesting a more formal and perhaps less thoughtful form of speech.

Just voicing

This replaces "speaking" with "voicing", which implies expressing something without necessarily deep consideration.

Merely stating

This substitutes "speaking" with "stating", emphasizing the act of declaring something without further elaboration.

Only articulating

This alternative uses "articulating" instead of "speaking", suggesting a more precise but still superficial expression.

Simply expressing

This replaces "speaking" with "expressing", focusing on the act of conveying thoughts or feelings in a basic way.

Barely speaking

This alternative emphasizes the minimal nature of the speaking, suggesting a very limited amount of speech.

Hardly speaking

This highlights the infrequency or near absence of speaking, suggesting a reluctance or inability to speak much.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely speaking" to indicate that someone is saying something without any deep thought or serious intent. For example, "He was "merely speaking" hypothetically, not making an actual threat."

What are some alternatives to "merely speaking"?

Some alternatives include "simply speaking", "just speaking", or "only stating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "merely speaking"?

Yes, "merely speaking" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe speech that lacks depth or serious intent. Ludwig AI also confirms its validity and provides numerous examples.

What does "merely speaking" imply?

"Merely speaking" implies that the act of speaking is done without any significant action, commitment, or deeper meaning behind the words. It suggests the words are not backed by action or serious intent.