merely

merely — adverb

1. used when you want to say that something is exactly what it appears to be, with

1.副詞B1
釋義

used when you want to say that something is exactly what it appears to be, with nothing extra, different, or stronger added to it

例句

Mizuki merely shrugged when I told her the news about the party.

merely + action verb (shrugged) showing minimal reaction

I was merely trying to help when I offered to carry your bags.

同義詞
  • just

    more common and neutral in everyday speech; 'merely' is slightly more formal

  • simply

    emphasises simplicity or ease, whereas 'merely' focuses on the absence of anything extra

  • only

    overlaps broadly but 'only' can also carry a limiting or exclusive sense beyond the scope of 'merely'

反義詞
  • exactly

    where 'merely' limits, 'exactly' specifies precision without limiting

文法句型

merely + verb

merely a + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used to correct a misunderstanding — the speaker insists that their action or statement was simpler or less significant than the listener assumed.

常見錯誤

❌I didn't just ask — I merely asked.' (redundant).
✅I merely asked a question.
💡'merely' already carries the 'just/simply' meaning; avoid pairing it with 'just' in the same clause.

2. used for emphasising how small, unimportant, or insufficient something is, espec

2.副詞B2
釋義

used for emphasising how small, unimportant, or insufficient something is, especially when you compare it with something bigger or more significant

例句

The pianist was merely twelve when she gave her first public performance.

merely + number — emphasising how young

The difference between the two prices is merely ten dollars.

同義詞
  • only

    more neutral; 'merely' adds a stronger sense of downplaying or insignificance

  • barely

    suggests something is just barely enough or at the lower limit, whereas 'merely' focuses on the lack of significance

  • no more than

    more emphatic and slightly formal; used to stress the limit of something

反義詞
  • significantly

    emphasises importance, the opposite of the downplaying function of 'merely'

文法句型

merely + number / amount

merely a + noun (downplaying)

用法筆記

Often appears in a contrast structure: the first half describes something that seemed important, and the second half (with 'merely') reveals it was minor. Common in journalistic and analytical writing.

常見錯誤

❌She is merely a beginner, but she still won.' (contradiction).
✅She is merely a beginner, yet she won against experienced players.
💡'merely' downplays; the contrast should be with something that contradicts the downplaying.