merely
gb/mˈɪɹli/ us/mˈɪɹli/
B1
Engels
~ 1300
csak, pusztán
B1
1
Gebruikspatroon:
merely [verb/phrase]
He was merely trying to help.
This is merely a temporary solution.
I’m not angry; I’m merely surprised.
It’s merely a scratch, nothing serious.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
I am merely asking a question.
She was merely tired, not sick.
It is merely a game.
He is merely a student.
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'merely' with 'barely'; 'barely' means 'almost not', while 'merely' means 'only'.
Betekenis
only; nothing more
Woordcombinaties
merely a matter of
|merely an illusion
|merely a suggestion
|merely symbolic
Synoniemen
only (Most direct synonym; 'only' is more common and less formal.)
|
just ('Just' is more informal and often used in spoken English.)
Antoniemen
significantly (Opposite in meaning when stressing importance rather than triviality.)
|
substantially (Opposite when indicating something of large extent or importance.)
Thema's
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definitie
Used to say that something is only what you say and not more.
Used to emphasize that something is only what is stated and nothing more.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
merely
IPA
GB/mˈɪɹli/
US/mˈɪɹli/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
merely (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (merely)
Woordvormen
Noun
- Base: merely
- Plural: merelies
Woordfamilie
Forms
merelies
noun
Core family
mere
adjective B2
Uitdrukkingen
merely a matter of
1/mˈɪɹli ə mˈætɚ əv/
fixed phrase
only related to one thing
Used to say that something depends on or is about only one thing.
Voorbeelden
- It’s merely a matter of time before they find out.
- Solving this problem is merely a matter of patience.
merely for show
1/mˈɪɹli fɚ ʃˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
only for appearance's sake
Done only to look good, not because it is real or needed.
Voorbeelden
- The security cameras are merely for show.
- His smile was merely for show; he was still upset.