simply to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a straightforward purpose or intention behind an action. Example: "I called her simply to ask how she was doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or simply to get better.

The New York Times - Arts

It's incredibly simply to use.

The New York Times

"Our objective is political — simply to change.

The New Yorker

Some are likely simply to want money.

The Economist

To wear, or simply to have?

Independent

Why, simply to save the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The other is simply to produce less.

The Economist

Hughes does not propose simply to tinker.

The New York Times

MyLittleSwans.com requires travelers simply to register.

The New York Times - Travel

Pay money simply to perpetrate a fraud?

The New Yorker

He wanted simply to film his dream.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply to" to clearly and concisely state the primary reason or intention behind an action. Avoid overusing it in close proximity within your writing for better stylistic flow.

Common error

Do not use "simply to" when a simpler infinitive form would suffice. Overusing "simply" can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. For example, instead of "I went there simply to see her", consider "I went there to see her".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, modifying a verb and indicating the reason or intention behind the action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply to" serves as a versatile phrase for indicating a straightforward purpose. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. While effective for emphasizing simplicity of intention, avoid overuse and consider more concise alternatives when appropriate. Remember, the key to impactful writing is clarity and precision in stating your purpose. The phrase "simply to" when used with care can help readers to correctly understand your intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to

Replaces "simply" with "merely", emphasizing the limited or basic nature of the purpose.

just to

Substitutes "simply" with "just", conveying a sense of directness and lack of complication in the purpose.

only to

Uses "only" instead of "simply", highlighting the exclusivity of the stated purpose.

purely to

Replaces "simply" with "purely", stressing the unmixed or unadulterated nature of the intention.

in order to

Replaces "simply to" with "in order to", offering a more formal way to express purpose.

so as to

Similar to "in order to", "so as to" presents a more formal expression of purpose.

for the purpose of

This phrase elaborates on the intention, making the purpose more explicit.

with the aim of

Indicates a goal-oriented intention, where the action is performed with a specific objective in mind.

to merely

Swaps the order of 'merely' and 'to', slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

to just

Swaps the order of 'just' and 'to', slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "simply to" in a sentence?

Use "simply to" before a verb to indicate the primary reason for doing something. For example, "I called "simply to ask" about the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "simply to"?

You can use phrases like "just to", "merely to", or "only to" as alternatives. For example, instead of "I went there "simply to relax"", you could say "I went there "just to relax"".

Is it always necessary to include "simply" when stating a purpose?

No, "simply" isn't always necessary. Often, the infinitive form of the verb already implies the purpose. Using "simply to" adds emphasis, but can be omitted if the purpose is clear without it.

When is it best to use "simply to" over other similar phrases?

Use "simply to" when you want to emphasize the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the intention. It's useful when contrasting a simple reason with more complex possibilities.