simply

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "simply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is done in a straightforward manner, without complications. For example: "The task was simply to complete the document and submit it to the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.

The Guardian

But simply canceling those deficit-reduction measures would risk a financial crisis that would make matters worse, the report said.

The New York Times

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

"When the UK plays an active leading role in Europe we can achieve enormous things which we simply could not on our own," Clarke said.

The Guardian

He would simply give every family a tax exemption of $100,000, which would eliminate the income tax for 90 percent of those now filing returns.

The New York Times

It seems improbable that they will simply vanish (the way a bank like IndyMac did), because the government won't allow it.

The Economist

Then, instead of looking at the fundamentals of the securities themselves, they simply assumed that they could rely on the credit ratings the ratings agencies bestowed, even though those agencies' conflicts of interest were well-known.

The Economist

Woods is too big a name for his sponsors to simply abandon him, even though Gatorade has discontinued its Tiger line (for other reasons, it says).

The Economist

We simply don't know.

The New York Times

His reputation for intelligence is simply the soft bigotry of Washington's low expectations for politicians.

The Guardian

She says it is possible to detect poor leadership simply by observing your organisation's environment: a room of employees experiencing poor leadership will look unhappy, demotivated, and unsure of what they are doing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply" to emphasize the ease or lack of complexity in a process or explanation. For instance, "To start the program, simply double-click the icon."

Common error

Avoid using "simply" excessively as a filler word, especially when it doesn't add significant meaning to the sentence. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "simply" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing ease, straightforwardness, or a lack of complexity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage, confirming its role in simplifying statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply" functions as an adverb to emphasize ease or a lack of complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While its function is to simplify statements and convey clarity, overuse should be avoided to prevent redundancy. Alternative phrases like "merely" or "just" can be used depending on the context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "simply" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely

Focuses on the idea of something being just that and nothing more, similar to "simply" in emphasizing a basic or minimal aspect.

just

Indicates that something is exactly as described and nothing else, akin to "simply" in its emphasis on straightforwardness.

plainly

Emphasizes clarity and lack of adornment or complication, like "simply" highlighting ease or lack of complexity.

purely

Highlights the absence of anything else involved, similar to "simply" in its focus on a single, uncomplicated aspect.

solely

Indicates that something is the only factor or reason, like "simply" emphasizing a single or uncomplicated cause.

just only

Emphasizes exclusivity and absence of additional factors, similar to the exclusive nature of "simply".

easily

Focuses on the ease with which something can be done, related to "simply" in the sense of uncomplicated action.

in a straightforward manner

Emphasizes the directness and lack of complication, similar to the uncomplicated nature of "simply".

without difficulty

Highlights the lack of challenge or complication, related to "simply" in terms of ease and absence of complexity.

in a basic way

Emphasizes the fundamental and uncomplicated nature, like "simply" highlighting a lack of complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "simply" in a sentence?

"Simply" can be used to indicate something is done in an easy or straightforward manner. For example, "You can "simply click here" to download the file."

What can I say instead of "simply"?

Alternatives include "merely", "just", or "plainly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "simply"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "simply", especially to emphasize a point or give a concise instruction. For example, "Simply put, the plan failed because of lack of resources."

What's the difference between "simply" and "just"?

While both can indicate straightforwardness, "simply" often implies ease or lack of complication, whereas "just" can emphasize exactness or limitation. For example, "It's "just a matter of time"" versus "simply a matter of opinion".