not only merely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only merely" is not correct and is generally considered redundant in written English.
You can use it when trying to emphasize that something is more than just a simple or basic version of something else, but it is better to choose a more concise expression. Example: "The project is not only merely a proposal; it is a comprehensive plan for implementation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And she's not only merely dead, She's really most sincerely dead.

The New York Times

Click "clear history" — the DTS and STS are not only merely dead, but really most sincerely dead.

The New York Times

When you look at this bigger picture, Joan's night with a Jaguar client is not only merely foreshadowed, but practically foreordained.

The New Yorker

The Mayor of Munchkin City is quite implausibly rotund; the Coroner sings out the Witch of the East's Certificate of Death ("And she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead") while wearing a hat with an absurdly scroll-like brim; the quiffs of the Lollipop Kids, who appear to have arrived in Oz by way of Bash Street and Dead End, stand up more stiffly than Tintin's.

The New Yorker

Obviously, the four-layer network obtains the best performance not only merely on the average PSNR and SSIM but also on every single image.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Now, four scientific papers collectively declare that--to paraphrase the Munchkin coroner in The Wizard of Oz--the theory is not only merely dead, it's really most sincerely dead.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Despite his means, the always smartly dressed Santos-Dumont had come to Paris not merely--or at least not only--to party.

Los Angeles Times

They are not the only ones — merely the most visible.

The New York Times - Sports

As he sees it, drug dealers were not his only enemy, merely the ones who carried weapons and threatened bodily harm.

The New York Times - Books

In the event that large peaks are unavoidable, purity of the morphine peak should not be only assessed by merely checking the UV spectrum.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

But they are not the only ones; their structures are merely the most visible to outsiders visiting Skopje's centre.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "not only merely" in your writing. It's redundant and can weaken your message. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives like "not just" or "more than merely".

Common error

Don't let redundant phrases like "not only merely" clutter your writing. Choose stronger, more direct expressions to improve clarity and impact. For example, instead of 'This is not only merely a suggestion,' write 'This is more than a suggestion'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only merely" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce an additional element that goes beyond what is initially stated. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided, due to redundancy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not only merely" is used to add emphasis, but Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. Concise alternatives like "not just" or "more than merely" offer clearer and more effective ways to convey the intended meaning. While found in various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications, its usage should be approached with caution to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity in writing. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for the suggested alternatives to ensure your message is both accurate and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just

Replaces the redundant phrasing with a simpler, more direct expression of contrast.

more than merely

Emphasizes exceeding a basic level, offering a clearer alternative.

not simply

Similar to 'not just', providing a straightforward negation of simplicity.

not exclusively

Highlights that something is not limited to one aspect, suggesting other factors are involved.

not solely

Indicates that something is not the only factor, similar to 'not exclusively'.

not purely

Suggests that something is mixed or contains other elements, avoiding the redundancy.

not only just

Offers a slight variation while still implying additional factors are present.

not only simply

Mirrors the original structure but avoids direct redundancy with 'merely'.

not merely

Omits "only" while retaining the core meaning of exceeding a basic description.

not just simply

Combines 'not just' with 'simply' to reinforce the sense of going beyond a basic state.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "not only merely"?

The phrase "not only merely" is used to emphasize that something is more than just a basic or simple version of something. However, the expression is considered redundant and should be avoided.

What are some alternatives to "not only merely"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "not only merely"?

No, "not only merely" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. It's better to choose a more concise expression.

How can I improve my writing to avoid using phrases like "not only merely"?

Focus on using direct and concise language. Replace redundant phrases with single words or simpler expressions to enhance clarity and impact. For instance, use "simply" instead of "merely" in many contexts.