one among merely two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one among merely two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is one of only two options or entities available. Example: "In this competition, I am one among merely two finalists who will present their projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it is presented as merely one among many, with strong points and blind spots just like all the rest.

Wikipedia

Palestine and the Indian Subcontinent are merely two among many regions devastated by predictable violence after colonial powers withdrew.

Huffington Post

In adults it recognises two conditions, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, yet these states are merely two presentations among many.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Folks, we are merely two weeks away from one of the most badass tech conferences of the year.

TechCrunch

Women's representation among the top people has risen by a massive 25%—from four to merely five.

The Economist

Newspapers are merely one among a plethora of advertising media.

The Economist

The object, which was a rarity, was merely one among several desirable pieces.

The New York Times - Arts

Nor are they hung up merely on one or two prickly issues, such as defunding Planned Parenthood.

Los Angeles Times

The second problem concerns Comte's relationship to Saint-Simon (see below 3.2 .: is the founder of positivism merely one Saint-Simonian among others, as Durkheim maintained, or should one, as Gouhier (1933) proposed, follow Comte himself, who on this matter spoke of a 'disastrous contact' that had, at best, merely hindered his 'spontaneous development' (1830 (56), v. 2, 466)?[1].

SEP

Here is a land of new beginnings and new promise, not merely one nation among others.

Forbes

Most one-of-a-kind artists turn out, after study, to be, in another sense, merely one of a kind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one among merely two" to emphasize a stark choice or limited set of options. This phrasing adds a touch of formality or emphasis compared to simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "one among merely two" in informal contexts where simpler phrasing like "one of two" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one among merely two" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically highlighting that a single entity is being considered from a very limited set of two possibilities. It adds emphasis to the scarcity of options.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one among merely two" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon construction used to emphasize selection from a very limited set of options. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but the absence of real-world examples suggests it is rarely used. When choosing to use this phrase, be mindful of the context, opting for simpler alternatives like "one of two" in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. It functions to highlight the scarcity of options, making the single entity being considered stand out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of only two

This alternative emphasizes the exclusivity of being part of a pair.

one of just two

Similar to "one of only two", this option uses 'just' for added emphasis on the small number.

one in only two

Focuses on a selection from just two options.

a single one among two

This option highlights the singularity of the item within the pair.

one out of only two

This option emphasizes the selection process from a limited set.

one from only two

Similar to "one out of only two", focusing on selection.

one among a pair

This alternative simplifies the phrase to emphasize the 'pair' aspect.

a member of two

This option focuses on membership within a group of two.

part of a duo

Uses 'duo' to directly refer to the group of two.

included in just two

This option emphasizes the inclusion aspect within a count of two.

FAQs

What does "one among merely two" mean?

The phrase "one among merely two" indicates that something or someone is a single entity selected or considered from a group consisting of only two options or individuals.

Is there a simpler way to say "one among merely two"?

Yes, you can use simpler alternatives such as "one of two" or "one out of two", which convey the same meaning with less formality.

How do I use "one among merely two" in a sentence?

You can use "one among merely two" to emphasize a limited choice. For example: "In the final round, she was one among merely two candidates being considered for the position."

What's the difference between "one among merely two" and "one of many"?

The phrase "one among merely two" highlights a very limited selection, whereas "one of many" suggests a selection from a large or undefined group. They are used in contrasting situations.