Mere

[Noego]

Could I explain to someone that mere is more or less the same thing as simple?

I'm looking for an easy explanation for the word mere.

I don't think simple is the most accurate but it's all I can think of right now.

[Casiopea]

You may want to take a look here: mere - Definitions from Dictionary.com

All the best.

[Noego]

Hmm ok. So "simple" doesn't really cut it.

According to dictionary.com:

"1.being nothing more nor better than"

Look at the following sentence:

"The mere fact of looking forward to your work will help make you more productive and effective."

I'm just trying to find a way to explain this. Could I say:

"Nothing more than the fact of looking forward to your work will help make you more productive and effective."

Could I say that?

The Houghton Mifflin e-reference's Thesaurus says that: "very" is a synonym for "mere". But I don't think replacing mere by very in the sentence above is appropriate. I think that would change the meaning of the sentence.

Thanks

[Casiopea]

What about, say, in and of itself, as in something along the lines of WordNet's sense 2?

mere

adjective
1. being nothing more than specified; "a mere child"
2. apart from anything else; without additions or modifications

[Noego]

This would go back to saying:


"Nothing more than the fact of looking forward to your work will help make you more productive and effective."

Wouldn't? Unless you could rephrase the above sentence in a way which represents mere better?

Thanks.

[Casiopea]

What about in itself; e.g., Looking foward to your work will, in itself,...?

[Noego]

I don't know. Don't you think it sounds odd?

I'll try to think about it more. I really do appreacite your suggestion though as always.

[Casiopea]

OK. Here's one more for you to consider. How about, Just looking forward to your work will...?

All the best,

[Noego]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

OK. Here's one more for you to consider. How about, Just looking forward to your work will...?

All the best,

You're a genius! That's exactly what I was looking for!

Cheers!