merely to highlight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely to highlight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that the purpose of an action is simply to draw attention to something without implying any additional significance. Example: "The report was created merely to highlight the key findings of the research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Absolutely nothing," was the manager's response when asked what it meant to have hit the summit, but his self-depreciation served merely to highlight Watford's resolve.

The Guardian - Sport

The IGR is not meant to provide the answers for tackling this imbalance, merely to highlight the issues confronting the budget over the medium to long run.

The Guardian

The historical society says it did not set out to stir the pot in choosing Mr. Petraeus, merely to highlight an accomplished public figure whose personal problems it views as a thing of the past.

The New York Times - Arts

The routine disasters of war and pestilence do, of course, call forth a measure of relief from public and private agencies (and to note that this relief is almost always inadequate is merely to highlight the dedication of those who deliver it).

The New Yorker

The weight from WS(b 2) to SS(b 2) (i.e. ω 7 for option 2) was set 0.5 to facilitate the effects of actual sensing (this value can be further increased but 0.5 was selected merely to highlight an average effect in the sensing).

Brain Informatics

It is not the purpose of this paper to provide a detailed review, but merely to highlight relevant findings.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They argue that Putnam's "just more theory" talk is merely supposed to highlight the theoretical inadequacy of several particular theories of reference; it's not supposed to provide a general argument of the type sketched above (Anderson 1993; Douven 1999; Haukioja 2001).

SEP

Dood's Big Adventure is the only dud; a brave attempt to add an unusual control twist to platform gaming, it merely serves to highlight the device's limitations.

The Guardian - Tech

He merely wanted to highlight how Islam, which produced algebra and kept safe the Greek philosophers of antiquity in the middle ages, had lost its way scientifically by focusing too much on the study of religion.

The Guardian

That he has been able to do so on the back of a momentous innings, played perhaps with the release that comes with already having made a decision, merely serves to highlight it.

The Guardian - Sport

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Ms. Khan rejected her critics, calling them "an elite class that don't even watch my show," and said the show merely intended to highlight the dangers that unaccompanied youths face in Karachi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely to highlight" to draw attention to a specific aspect without implying further action or analysis. It's effective when you want to focus the reader's attention on a key detail.

Common error

Avoid using "merely to highlight" when the intention is to analyze deeply or offer a comprehensive solution. This phrase suggests a limited scope, so ensure it aligns with your objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely to highlight" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It introduces a specific intention, indicating that the action is limited to drawing attention to something without further elaboration or analysis. Ludwig shows various examples in news, science, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely to highlight" is a phrase used to indicate that the primary intention is to draw attention to something specific, without delving into deeper analysis or solutions. It's grammatically correct and suitable for formal and neutral registers, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase appears primarily in news and media, and scientific contexts. Understanding this phrase helps set clear expectations about the scope and purpose of your communication. Ludwig provides a variety of examples that reinforce this interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply to emphasize

Focuses on underscoring the importance or relevance of something.

just to point out

Highlights a specific detail or fact, often in a straightforward manner.

only to draw attention to

Emphasizes the act of making something noticeable or prominent.

solely to underscore

Indicates a unique focus on reinforcing a particular aspect.

purely to showcase

Highlights the intention to display or present something in an unadulterated way.

exclusively to feature

Emphasizes the selective presentation of a specific element or aspect.

specifically to spotlight

Denotes a directed effort to bring attention to a particular aspect or issue.

particularly to foreground

Highlights the intent to bring something into the most prominent position.

mainly to foreground

Denotes the intention to put something at the front or in a noticeable position.

primarily to underline

Highlights the intent to emphasize and reinforce something.

FAQs

What does "merely to highlight" mean?

The phrase "merely to highlight" means only to draw attention to something, without necessarily providing a solution or in-depth analysis. It suggests a focus on making something noticeable.

How can I use "merely to highlight" in a sentence?

You can use "merely to highlight" to introduce a point that you want the reader to notice. For example, "The report's purpose is "merely to highlight" areas needing improvement, not to provide immediate solutions."

What can I say instead of "merely to highlight"?

You can use alternatives like "simply to emphasize", "just to point out", or "only to draw attention to" depending on the context.

Is "merely to highlight" formal or informal?

"Merely to highlight" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional writing, academic papers, and news articles, but less common in casual conversation.