Looks complex.

USAGE SUMMARY

"Looks complex" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used as a standalone sentence or as part of a larger sentence. Example: "The instructions for assembling this furniture looks complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Any deal still looks complex.

The New York Times

But if it's coming out of Wall Street and looks complex, look out below.

The New York Times

Even though the numerical solution looks complex for even N > 30 node points, Maple handles it very well.

Boundary Value Problems

The Typhoon H controller looks complex at first but there's not much to worry about when you're taking the drone through its paces.

TechCrunch

She compares her digital lace to Brazil's Northeastern lace".Lace looks complex, but it is actually simple details that together amplify the view and bring a complexity, startling the viewer.

Vice

While the ascertainment process looks complex, the principle is quite simple, i.e. we try to ascertain 'balanced' samples, where the balance is determined by the ORs and regression coefficients that are observed in the full data.

Behavior Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We shrugged and made ourselves look complex.

The Guardian

All the things about the "Fatalism" paper that appeared maddeningly simple started to look complex and thorny.

The New York Times - Magazine

This machine may look complex but is, he insists, relatively simple even if it is "not well understood".

The Economist

The moves may look complex, but instructors say that even the most coordination-challenged are welcome and that most students have never danced.

The New York Times

Barnes calls himself Pat's principal rememberer and this is a memorial to her, a book that may, in outline, look complex but is at some level incredibly simple.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Looks complex" to describe something that appears complicated or intricate at first glance but might be simpler upon closer inspection.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "Looks complex" without providing specific details about what aspects contribute to this perceived complexity. Be specific for a more impactful description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Looks complex." functions as a descriptive statement, attributing a characteristic of complexity based on visual assessment. Ludwig AI affirms its common usage in written English. The phrase can act as a sentence fragment or as part of a larger statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Looks complex." is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that appears intricate or complicated at first glance. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions descriptively and can be used as a sentence fragment or part of a larger sentence. While the phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, including news, science and general discussions, it's crucial to provide specifics to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "appears intricate" or "seems complicated" to tailor your message and avoid vague language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appears intricate

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "complex" with "intricate", emphasizing the visual impression of complexity.

Seems complicated

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "complex" with "complicated", focusing on the perceived difficulty.

Is seemingly complex

Adds "seemingly" to indicate that the complexity might not be real.

Gives the impression of complexity

Adds more detail by clarifying that it's an impression, not necessarily a definitive statement.

Has a complex appearance

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the visual aspect of complexity.

Presents a challenge

Shifts the focus to the potential difficulty or effort involved, rather than the visual aspect.

Exhibits complexity

Uses more formal language to describe the presence of complexity.

The complexity is evident

Focuses on the fact that the complexity is noticeable or obvious.

It's deceptively complex

Suggests that something appears simple but is actually complex.

It has many layers

Emphasizes the depth and multiple facets contributing to complexity, moving away from visual appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "Looks complex." in a sentence?

You can use "Looks complex." to describe anything that appears complicated or intricate. For example, "The assembly instructions "looks complex", but it's actually quite simple."

What are some alternatives to saying "Looks complex."?

Alternatives include "appears intricate", "seems complicated", or "presents a challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "Looks complex"?

Yes, "Looks complex." is grammatically correct, although it is a sentence fragment. It's often used informally to describe something's appearance.

What does it mean when something "Looks complex"?

It means that, at first glance, something appears to be intricate, complicated, or difficult to understand. However, it doesn't necessarily mean it actually is complex.