merely with

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is done or achieved with only a small amount of effort, significance, or impact. Example: "She passed her exam merely with a few days of studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Starbucks, though, is competing merely with its own bland reputation.

Independent

And let him be content merely with this.

The Guardian - Opinion

A substantial proportion of the public reacts not merely with anger, but with frothing vitriol.

The Washington Post

The parliamentary committee that came out with its report was charged merely with canvassing opinions.

The Economist

The question is whether this can be achieved merely with sackfuls of money.

The Economist

Why are some taboos protected with a shield and others merely with a shrug?

The New Yorker

She is charged not merely with singing songs, but with far more potent meanings.

The Guardian

realized that its beef wasn't merely with the Forest Service; the problem was global capitalism itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

He charged the American people not merely with complacent inattention, but with woeful ignorance.

The New York Times

The Court in the Griffin case, however, was not content to rest merely with this negative jurisdictional ruling.

Cornell University

The Arbitration Law deals merely with the remedy in the state courts in respect of obligations voluntarily and lawfully incurred.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely with" to clearly indicate that something is achieved or done with minimal effort, resources, or impact. This can help to emphasize the simplicity or limitations of the process or result.

Common error

Avoid using "merely with" when the action or result is actually significant or complex. Using it in such cases can undermine the true importance or effort involved, creating a misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely with" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the limited extent or means by which something is accomplished. It highlights that an action or result is achieved with minimal effort, resources, or significance. This is supported by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely with" is a prepositional phrase that indicates something is accomplished with minimal effort or significance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It functions as an adverbial modifier, downplaying complexity and is suitable for neutral contexts, although more frequently used in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using "merely with", ensure that you are accurately representing the simplicity or limitations involved, avoiding overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply with

Emphasizes the ease or lack of complexity involved.

just with

Highlights the minimal requirements or actions needed.

only with

Focuses on exclusivity, suggesting that nothing else is required.

purely with

Stresses the lack of any other contributing factors.

solely with

Similar to "only with", emphasizing the single element involved.

exclusively with

Highlights that something is limited to the specified element.

barely with

Indicates the action has been fulfilled with a small amount.

scarcely with

Highlights something achieved with a very limited amount.

no more than with

Expresses restriction, limitation, or insufficiency.

by means of only

Highlights the limitation about tools used to achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely with" to indicate that something is achieved with minimal effort or resources. For example, "She passed the test "merely with" a few hours of studying" suggests the test was easy for her.

What phrases are similar to "merely with"?

Alternatives to "merely with" include "simply with", "just with", or "only with", all of which emphasize a minimal approach or requirement.

Is it correct to say "simply with" instead of "merely with"?

Yes, "simply with" is a valid and often interchangeable alternative to "merely with". Both phrases indicate that something is done in a straightforward or uncomplicated way.

What is the difference between "merely with" and "only with"?

While both phrases convey a sense of limitation, "merely with" often implies a sense of insignificance or ease, whereas "only with" focuses more on the exclusivity of the means or resources used.