more than just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'more than just' is a perfectly acceptable and widely used phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is more than what is initially perceived. For example, if you are talking about a person, you can say "She is more than just a passionate cook - she is also an avid painter".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're more than just teammates.

The New York Times - Sports

It's more than just talk".

The New York Times

This is more than just a detail.

Independent

Besides, Brazil produces more than just soyabeans.

The Economist

But is there more than just spectacle?

Independent

We've been more than just brothers.

The New Yorker

This is more than just political posturing.

The Economist

More than just the auto-tune.

Independent

Indeed, it was more than just flexible.

The Economist

It was more than just typical Raikkonen.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's more than just that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than just" to emphasize the multifaceted nature of a subject, showing it has qualities or implications beyond the obvious.

Common error

While "more than just" is useful for emphasizing added dimensions, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using alternatives like "not merely", or "beyond simply" to keep your writing dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than just" functions as an intensifier, adding emphasis to a statement. It suggests that something possesses qualities or implications beyond what might be initially perceived, as also stated in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than just" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize that something has qualities or significance beyond its initial appearance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and wide usage. It's frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, and while versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing dynamism. Consider using alternatives like "not merely" or "beyond simply" for variety. As confirmed by the examples, this versatile phrase elevates the importance of the subject by highlighting its multiple dimensions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just

Replaces "more than just" to convey a similar meaning.

more than simply

Directly replaces "just" with "simply" to convey a similar meaning.

more than a

Indicates that something is being sold or used as something different than its function or use.

not only

Introduces additional aspects or qualities beyond the initial one.

not merely

Emphasizes the inadequacy of a simple description.

beyond simply

Highlights surpassing a basic or straightforward state.

over and above

Indicates that something exceeds or goes beyond what is expected or typical.

in addition to

States that something else is added in addition to the initial one.

furthermore

Adds additional information, indicating that the initial point is insufficient on its own.

beyond the scope of

Suggests that something goes beyond an initial thought.

FAQs

How to use "more than just" in a sentence?

Use "more than just" to indicate that something is not limited to a single aspect or characteristic. For example, "This is "more than just a detail"; it's a fundamental issue".

What can I say instead of "more than just"?

You can use alternatives like "not merely", "beyond simply", or "more than simply" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "more than just" or "more then just"?

"More than just" is the correct spelling and phrasing. "More then just" is a misspelling and grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "more than just" and "not only"?

"More than just" emphasizes that something is not limited to a single aspect, while "not only" introduces additional aspects. Both phrases can be used to add information, but "more than just" implies a deeper significance.