GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜にすぎない
Limits the degree or importance of something by presenting it as no more than the stated thing.
Examples
今日の会議は計画の確認にすぎない。
Today's meeting is nothing more than a review of the plan.
Words used
その説明は一つの例にすぎない。
That explanation is merely one example.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
にすぎないfollows a noun or plain-form verb and limits degree, role, or importance to no more than the stated level. - Basic usage:
その説明は一つの例にすぎない。presents the explanation as limited to being one example.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Evaluation compared with だけ
確認だけをするlimits the action to checking.確認にすぎないcan more clearly downplay its significance as merely a check.
- No だ after the noun
一つの案にすぎないconnects directly to a noun, while聞いたにすぎないfollows a plain-form verb. This structure does not carry overだfrom a noun sentence.