not merely unique

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not merely unique" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is not just unique, but has additional qualities or significance. Example: "The artist's work is not merely unique; it challenges conventional perspectives and provokes thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the quotations were submerged so deeply within the film's visual text that the result seemed not merely unique but beguilingly alien, like an artifact from a lost civilization.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

First, bipolar disorder does not merely represent a unique subset of affective and psychomotor symptoms [ 17, 23]; rather, it also characterizes a population which is demographically different from the populations with depression and no mood disorder.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In those intimate relationships, the parties respond to each other as unique individuals, not merely as typical human beings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To the carrying out of the job of criticizing the liberal imagination, literature has a unique relevance, not merely because so much of modern literature has explicitly directed itself upon politics, but more importantly because literature is the human activity that takes the fullest and most precise account of variousness, possibility, complexity and difficulty".

The New York Times - Books

Exceptional young people -- prodigies -- are indicative not merely of their own rare and unique mental capacities; they are also a reflection of what their communities and cultures emphasize as worthy pursuits.

Huffington Post

Seen from this perspective, suboptimal and degenerate solutions are not merely a technical inconvenience leading to non-unique predictions.

BMC Systems Biology

Crucially, our results show that the cells' unique depolarization of Vmem is not merely a marker, but is itself functionally instructive during the oncogenic process.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

It is not merely that he incorporates aspects of Mind-Only thinking into his presentation that makes it unique.

SEP

What's unique about Cherot is that his worries about the downside of signing with a large distributor do not merely jangle around in his head.

Los Angeles Times

And not merely standing.

The Economist

Qubits are not merely theoretical.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not merely unique" to emphasize that something possesses characteristics beyond simple uniqueness, implying additional value or significance. For instance, "The discovery was not merely unique; it revolutionized the field."

Common error

Avoid using "not merely unique" when 'unique' alone suffices. Remember that 'unique' means 'one of a kind,' so adding qualifiers can sometimes be redundant. Use it only when you want to specifically emphasize additional qualities beyond singularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not merely unique" functions as a qualifier, adding emphasis and nuance to the adjective "unique". It indicates that something possesses qualities beyond simple uniqueness, highlighting significance or additional attributes. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not merely unique" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that something has more than just uniqueness, implying additional significance or qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in English. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, use "not merely unique" when you want to highlight aspects beyond simple singularity, but avoid redundancy by ensuring that the additional emphasis is necessary. Consider alternatives like "more than just unique" or "uniquely special" to express similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than just unique

Emphasizes that the subject possesses qualities beyond simple uniqueness.

uniquely special

Highlights both uniqueness and a positive, exceptional quality.

distinctively unique

Emphasizes a high degree of distinction within its uniqueness.

uniquely exceptional

Suggests uniqueness combined with outstanding quality.

not simply unique

Directly contrasts the idea with a simpler form of uniqueness.

distinct and unparalleled

Combines the idea of distinctiveness with being unmatched.

singular and remarkable

Highlights both its single nature and its noteworthy quality.

uncommon and exceptional

Suggests a combination of rarity and outstanding quality.

extraordinarily unique

Intensifies the uniqueness with an adverb of degree.

uniquely significant

Emphasizes that the uniqueness has important implications.

FAQs

How can I use "not merely unique" in a sentence?

Use "not merely unique" to emphasize that something is not only one of a kind but also possesses additional noteworthy qualities. For example, "The artwork was "not merely unique", it was deeply moving."

What is the difference between "unique" and "not merely unique"?

"Unique" signifies that something is one of a kind. "Not merely unique" implies it has other significant attributes beyond its singularity. It adds emphasis on extra qualities, beyond the characteristic of being the only one of its kind.

What are some alternatives to saying "not merely unique"?

Consider alternatives like "more than just unique", "uniquely special", or "distinctively unique" to express similar emphasis on qualities beyond basic uniqueness.

Is it redundant to use "not merely unique"?

It can be, if the context doesn't require emphasizing additional qualities. If the uniqueness itself is the only point, "unique" alone is sufficient. Use "not merely unique" when you specifically want to highlight aspects beyond simple singularity.