has not merely been vs has not been merely

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Has not merely been" is used when emphasizing that something has not only been a certain way but also something else. "Has not been merely" is used when emphasizing that something has not been only a certain way without any additional qualities.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1185 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that something has not only been a certain way but also something else.

"has not merely been "

This phrase is used to emphasize that something has not only been a certain way but also something else. It adds an extra layer of meaning to the statement.

Examples:

The project has not merely been successful; it has also been completed ahead of schedule.
She has not merely been a good student; she has also excelled in extracurricular activities.
His work has not merely been satisfactory; it has also been innovative and groundbreaking.

Show examples from the web [+]

whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
D. whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
I. whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen, but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
One of the many comforts of having children is knowing one's youth has not fled, but merely been passed down to a new generation.
The crisis is a structural one, and has not been caused merely by current circumstances, as you have said, but by the successive deregulations.
The European Parliament has not been limited to areas of responsibility as laid down by the Treaty; it has not been restricted merely to giving its assent.
The Commission has not merely proposed a derogation and done nothing else.
Parliament has not merely bared its teeth, but has put forward simple and practical ideas and suggestions.
A new Europe is a single body and in human rights has not merely an end, but the very instrument for its geopolitics.
The report before us follows a significant change in the powers of this Agency, which have not merely been changed but have in fact been extended.
Ukraine needs action, not merely words.
It is investment finance, not merely development aid.
This means that renewal of the tuna fleet is virtually unviable, since the reform has not merely abolished aid but penalises fleet renewal because it requires other vessels to be removed from the register before any new vessels can be constructed without any form of aid being available.
In the meantime, the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance congratulates Mrs Alvarez and Mr Domenici on their excellent work, which has not merely repeated the past positions of the European Parliament, but has made them more ambitious and more practical.
I do not see anything yet to prove that the European Union has not merely a sustainable approach to fisheries agreements, but also an approach that takes into account the concerns of the developing countries.
...not merely to provide bread and butter... ...not merely to keep people from starving.
My impression is that, in the past, you have merely been paying lip service.
You have to mold not merely the physical form, but also the character.
Not merely players, Mr. Callen.
Not merely from a painful perspective...

Alternatives:

has not only been
has not just been
has not solely been
has not exclusively been
has not solely been

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that something has not been only a certain way without any additional qualities.

"has not been merely "

This phrase is used to emphasize that something has not been only a certain way without any additional qualities. It highlights the singular nature of the quality being discussed.

Examples:

His decision has not been merely a mistake; it has been a disaster.
The issue is not merely a technical problem; it is also a financial concern.
Her comment was not merely inappropriate; it was offensive.

Show examples from the web [+]

The crisis is a structural one, and has not been caused merely by current circumstances, as you have said, but by the successive deregulations.
The European Parliament has not been limited to areas of responsibility as laid down by the Treaty; it has not been restricted merely to giving its assent.
This stage - which has not been put on merely for show, but has been a transparent procedure - has also clarified the political responsibilities of the President and Members of the Commission.
The death penalty has not been completely abolished, merely restricted, i.e. terrorists and war criminals can still be sentenced to death.
whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
D. whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
I. whereas the Commission's budget for humanitarian disasters, and specifically that of DG ECHO, has not merely been frozen, but has fallen slightly in real terms over the last five years,
Enlargement has been merely formal and political in nature, however.
Had we been merely sold as slaves, I would have held my tongue.
The X-ray equipment would have been merely incorporated in the existing baggage handling system in 2003 for security reasons.
[...] % (Tail Bearing Housing and Disc); in this case ITP would have been merely a sub-contractor.
I have just received confirmation of what previously has been merely rumored.
Spain, Italy and sometimes Cyprus and Greece have often been merely gateways through which these people pour in, as they do not just stay by the gates.
The question is whether the sports facilities existing in the 1970s have been merely upgraded in accordance with new demands or whether the current fitness centre must be considered as a new facility.
I merely cataloged what happens here.
I merely acted on the recommendations of Harry Selfridge.
We merely slipped a little package into your lower tummy.
Merely trying to spare her heart the inevitable woe.
As Howard advised, she's merely respecting our professional boundaries.
I merely ushered them toward redemption.

Alternatives:

has not been only
has not been just
has not been solely
has not been exclusively
has not been solely

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has not merely been vs has not been merely