merely to do it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely to do it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that the action is simple or straightforward, often implying that there is no additional complexity involved. Example: "The task was not challenging; it was merely to do it and submit the report on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I subscribe wholeheartedly to the idea work life needs to be a parenting discussion, not a woman-only discussion, but women are especially susceptible to the pressures of trying, not merely to have it all, but to do it all.

Huffington Post

He views the champion as a manufactured fighter, someone not born to fight, but merely trained to do it.

Huffington Post

While our observations here have focused largely on cytokine polarization of the initial response, all of the markers assessed here, including IL-2 activation, CD127 expression and anti-apoptotic markers indicate that responder cells in this transgenic system are fully fit to respond, they merely choose to do it in a different way.

BMC Biology

He had done it merely to do something nice for her.

The New Yorker

Taking time to contemplate what you're grateful for isn't merely the right thing to do; it also improves your mood because it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23percentt.

HuffPost

Taking time to contemplate what you're grateful for isn't merely the right thing to do; it also improves your mood because it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%.

Huffington Post

Taking time to contemplate what you're grateful for isn't merely the "right" thing to do; it also lessens anxiety because it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%.

Huffington Post

Perhaps this is the reason why it is time we stop referring to sustainability as the 'soft' side of the business and recognize that building good 'CSR' practices is not merely a 'nice' thing to do, it is the key to creating sustainable corporations.

Huffington Post

In a petition that launched online this week, boycott organizer Chris Bergman wrote, "Florida is not a safe place to take your family for vacation as long as Florida law permits a citizen to shoot or kill you for merely looking suspicious, and to do it with impunity.

Huffington Post

The truth is that if you want to lose quickly, you're not going to do it merely by eating right.

WikiHow

But next time, it may well not be.On the latest two occasions, everybody knew more or less what to do; it was merely a matter of summoning up the will to do it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely to do it" when you want to convey that an action is simple, straightforward, and requires no additional effort or complexity. It is best suited for contexts where you wish to downplay the significance of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "merely to do it" when the action involves significant effort, complexity, or has important consequences. Using it in such contexts can undermine the true nature of the task and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely to do it" functions as an infinitive phrase that expresses the purpose or reason for something. It typically downplays the importance or complexity of the action, suggesting it's a simple or routine task. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely to do it" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey that an action is simple and straightforward. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, the phrase's frequency is currently low, making it essential to consider the specific context to ensure its appropriateness. The register is neutral, fitting various settings, and related phrases offer alternative ways to express simplicity. The phrase's core function is to indicate the lack of significance or complexity in performing an action, though users should avoid overstating the simplicity when the task is indeed complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to enact the task

Replaces "it" with "the task" for clarity.

simply to execute it

Emphasizes the straightforward nature of the action.

just to accomplish it

Highlights the ease and lack of complexity in achieving the task.

only to perform it

Indicates that there is no additional requirement beyond the performance of the action.

plainly to carry it out

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of embellishment in the execution.

purely to enact it

Suggests the action is performed for its own sake, without ulterior motives.

solely to complete it

Highlights that the only aim is the completion of the task.

basically to undertake it

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the action without added complications.

fundamentally to achieve it

Focuses on the core objective of the action.

essentially to fulfill it

Indicates that the action is necessary for completion or satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "merely to do it" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases such as "simply to accomplish it" or "solely to execute it" for a more formal tone. These alternatives emphasize the straightforward nature of the action without sounding dismissive.

When is it appropriate to use "merely to do it" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to highlight the simplicity and lack of complexity involved in performing a task. It's useful when the action is secondary to the main point or argument you are making.

What's the difference between "simply to do it" and "merely to do it"?

Both phrases indicate simplicity, but "merely to do it" can sometimes imply a sense of belittlement or insignificance, whereas "simply to do it" is generally more neutral. The choice depends on the specific context and intended nuance.

Are there situations where using "merely to do it" might be considered inappropriate?

Yes, it can be inappropriate if the action is actually complex or important, or if the context requires a more respectful or appreciative tone. In such cases, a more descriptive phrase would be better.