was merely temporary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was merely temporary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is not permanent and is expected to change or end soon. Example: "The disruption in service was merely temporary, and normal operations resumed the following week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But Davis's visit was merely temporary, his left ankle is still hurting and his prognosis remains cloudy.

The New York Times - Sports

The Chrysler Building was excoriated as a "stunt design," and some people hoped that all that exposed steel was merely "temporary construction".

The New York Times

The president's insistence that this measure was merely temporary was not reassuring, especially to many of the nation's lawyers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But much of the debt is long-term and officials insist that their debt difficulties are merely temporary.

The Economist

The structure was intended by the British to be merely temporary.Worse, all traffic must navigate five official checkpoints manned by the Assam Rifles.

The Economist

Eritrean officials insist that the shutdown of the papers is merely temporary and that it will be lifted once new regulations are drawn up and licenses are issued.

The New York Times

It is not yet clear whether such moves are merely temporary in advance of a general election now slated for November 28th.Still, Egypt's press remains relatively free compared with that of its Arab neighbours.

The Economist

Mr. Babbitt said Mr. Obama still represented "the best, and likely only, hope for meaningful progress" on energy and the environment, and we must hope, as he does, that the president's temporizing is merely temporary.

The New York Times

If he is merely temporary help hired for a month, it's probably worth a try, though Manny might have to lend a hand in a shot-to-pieces bullpen if the Sox are to have a realistic chance of catching the Twins.

The New York Times - Sports

Indeed, sometimes convictions are merely temporary setbacks.

Forbes

David Booth, VP of enterprise sales for the tech giant's Customer Solutions Group, said the problems were merely temporary snafus that HP is "working very hard to rectify".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was merely temporary", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the situation is temporary in relation to. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was merely temporary" to downplay significant events or issues. Acknowledge the impact, even if it's expected to be short-lived.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was merely temporary" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a description of its duration. Ludwig AI shows that it qualifies a state or condition as being transient, not permanent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was merely temporary" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that a situation or condition is not permanent. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, and while appropriate for formal writing, it maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what the temporary condition relates to, and avoid downplaying significant events. Alternatives include "was just temporary" or "was only temporary".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was just temporary

Emphasizes the short duration of the situation.

was only temporary

Highlights the limited lifespan of the condition or situation.

was a temporary situation

Focuses on the fleeting nature of the circumstances.

was a short-term fix

Implies a solution that addresses the immediate problem but is not a permanent resolution.

was not permanent

Directly states the lack of permanence.

was a passing phase

Suggests the situation will disappear with time.

was a brief interlude

Conveys a short period interrupting a longer, more stable condition.

was a fleeting moment

Highlights the short, almost imperceptible duration of something.

was transient

Uses a more formal term to describe the temporary nature.

was ephemeral

Suggests that something is brief and exists only for a short time.

FAQs

How can I use "was merely temporary" in a sentence?

You can use "was merely temporary" to describe a situation or condition that is not permanent. For example, "The economic downturn "was merely temporary", and the economy soon recovered."

What can I say instead of "was merely temporary"?

You can use alternatives like "was just temporary", "was only temporary", or "was a short-term fix" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was merely temporary" in formal writing?

Yes, "was merely temporary" is appropriate for formal writing. While it's not overly formal, it's a clear and concise way to describe something that is not permanent and is suitable for various contexts.

What's the difference between "was merely temporary" and "was strictly temporary"?

"Was strictly temporary" emphasizes that something is temporary and nothing more. Whereas "was merely temporary" can suggest that while temporary, something isn't necessarily limited to being temporary.