Hi, I am Korean student.
I took an English test last week.
A question is on English writing.
The answer my teacher suggested was ' No matter how trivial his action is considered, he won't stop doing."
But my answer I wrote was " No matter how mere his action is considered, he won't stop doing."
My teacher said my answer was wrong because 'mere' must be used in front of a noun grammarticaly.
But, by Googling, I found a sentence that "No matter how mere they are or how grand the view." in the novel titled "The Lady travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger".
Showing this sentence, I told my teacher my sentence is right, but she replied me I am still wrong and to bring any grammar document saying such use of 'mere' is acceptable.
Please help me.
Thank you in advance.
Jack.
the use of word: 'mere' and 'trivial'
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Re: the use of word: 'mere' and 'trivial'
The adjective "mere" is attributive, ie used before a noun. This is shown in good English dictionaries, and you can see it at:
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/mere (US)
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/mere (UK)
The novel you cite appears to be mimicking the language of a bygone era.
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/mere (US)
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/mere (UK)
The novel you cite appears to be mimicking the language of a bygone era.
"We are not wholly bad or good, who live our lives under Milk Wood :-| " — Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood
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