How do you use the word merely in a sentence?

Here are a few sentences using "merely" in different contexts:

* Simple Statement: "He was merely trying to help."

* Contrast: "The problem wasn't merely a lack of resources, but also a lack of planning."

* Downplaying Importance: "It was merely a small mistake, nothing to worry about."

* Emphasis: "This is not merely a book; it's a treasure."

* Formal Writing: "The research concluded that the findings were merely correlational, not causal."

Let me know if you'd like more examples or have a specific context in mind!