should merely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should merely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something is only required to be a certain way, often implying simplicity or minimalism. Example: "The solution to the problem should merely be a matter of adjusting the settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Mayor Bloomberg's efforts, and ours, should merely be a beginning!

The New York Times

She says privatising social security should merely be "an option" for young people.

The Guardian

It doesn't need to be anything fancy; it should merely be functional for use in these projects.

Apple I Replica Creation Back to the Garage

Instead, they said it should merely be "noted", which would make it much easier for governments to ignore.

The Guardian

Rather than killing Shiites, he said, they "should merely be declared non-Muslims" and jailed for 10 or 15 years.

The New York Times - Magazine

Others, like Dr. Lloyd, believe they should merely be thought of as abstract possibilities -- things that did not occur.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

If you run a company that is knowingly poisoning people by polluting more than allowed by law, then your consequences should not merely be financial, but you should also be going to jail.

The New York Times

If you're writing to win a case, this book shouldn't merely be on your shelf-it should be open on your desk.

Stanford University

As his shine wears off, they should not merely be disappointed or angry: they should be fighting for a real, radical alternative.

The Guardian

Our appointments should not merely be related to money; our time should also include regular meetings with those ideas that sustain our souls.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Christian Institute thinks that Section 28 should not merely be retained, but extended to bring health authorities within its ambit.The repealers argue that Section 28 should go because it is a bad law.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should merely be" to clearly indicate that something's function or requirement is intended to be basic or minimal, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "should merely be" when you actually need to emphasize a more significant or complex action. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios where simplicity is the key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should merely be" functions as a modal expression indicating a suggestion or recommendation with an emphasis on simplicity or limitation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase suggests that something is adequate or sufficient if it meets a basic requirement, and it doesn't need to be complex or elaborate. Ludwig examples show it indicating minimal expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should merely be" is a useful tool for suggesting a basic or minimal level of action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you are indeed aiming for simplicity and avoiding unnecessary complexity. Be aware of alternative phrases like "ought to simply be" or "need only be" to vary your writing. In conclusion, "should merely be" is a versatile phrase for conveying the idea of something being just enough without being excessive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to simply be

Emphasizes simplicity and what is advisable, replacing "should" with "ought to" and "merely" with "simply".

need only be

Highlights the minimum requirement, substituting "should" with "need" and retaining the sense of limitation.

only needs to be

Similar to "need only be", this rephrases the structure to emphasize the singular requirement.

is just required to be

Focuses on the basic necessity, using "is required" to replace "should" and "just" for "merely".

is expected to be simply

Highlights expectation and simplicity, using "is expected" instead of "should" and adding "simply".

is supposed to be merely

Conveys a sense of obligation or common expectation, replacing "should" with "is supposed to".

must simply be

Emphasizes necessity with a focus on simplicity, substituting "should" with the stronger "must" and "merely" with "simply".

is intended to simply be

Highlights the intended purpose with a focus on simplicity, replacing "should" with "is intended to" and "merely" with "simply".

is designed to merely be

Focuses on the designed function, using "is designed to" instead of "should".

can simply be

Suggests a simple possibility, replacing "should" with "can" and "merely" with "simply".

FAQs

How can I use "should merely be" in a sentence?

Use "should merely be" to suggest that something requires only a basic or minimal approach. For example, "The solution "should merely be" a matter of adjusting the settings."

What phrases are similar to "should merely be"?

Similar phrases include "ought to simply be", "need only be", or "is just required to be". These alternatives also convey the idea of something being basic or minimal.

When is it inappropriate to use "should merely be"?

Avoid using "should merely be" when you want to convey a sense of importance or complexity. This phrase is best for emphasizing simplicity and minimal effort.

What's the difference between "should merely be" and "should also be"?

"Should merely be" implies a limitation to a basic requirement, while "should also be" suggests an addition or a more comprehensive approach. The former focuses on simplicity, the latter on expansion.