Somewhat intricate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Somewhat intricate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is moderately complex or detailed, often in contexts like art, design, or problem-solving. Example: "The design of the new software interface is somewhat intricate, requiring users to spend time familiarizing themselves with its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The kinds of products that people research on YouTube are likely to be somewhat intricate.

Forbes

The third objection is somewhat intricate, so it will require some explaining.

SEP

However, the details get somewhat intricate, and I have chosen not to get into them in this exposition.

SEP

It's great". Ross: On the CBB TV show, the musical cues for all three of the band leaders seemed somewhat intricate.

Forbes

In "conclusion", although the multiplicity of etiologies and the somewhat intricate nature of mechanisms related to normotonic or hypertonic hyponatremia may seem bewildering at first, physicians may salvage consolation in the fact that these conditions are rare, cause only mild to moderate hyponatremia and can be readily ruled out by a simple and expeditious clinical and biological assessment.

Annals of Intensive Care

Nakoula ran afoul of the law in 2010, when he pleaded no contest to federal bank fraud charges after being indicted in a somewhat intricate scheme involving fake bank accounts created using stolen Social Security numbers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Or with her somewhat more intricate (or circular?) case that even the most embracingly inclusive empires eventually disintegrate because they lack "glue" — an overarching political identity to give coherence to the whole.

The New York Times - Books

The interpretation of the effects in the Procrustes ANOVA is somewhat more intricate in this case because there are additional effects to be considered.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The story is a somewhat complicated and intricate, and scholars disagree about the nature of the empiricism.

SEP

To somewhat simplify this intricate process, data-driven characterization of a complex system behavior often starts with defining a target set of system's distinct phenotypes of interest, such as thermo-resistance, acid-tolerance, hydrogen production, and enumerating only those key system components that could be responsible for or contributing to the given phenotype(s).

BMC Systems Biology

Mr. Mozgala's first tattoo, an intricate and somewhat scary combination of a luger, a cross and a crutch that he said was an interpretation of a dream he had, impressed Mr. James because of the line-shading technique the artist had used.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical processes or designs, use "somewhat intricate" to acknowledge complexity without overwhelming the reader. For instance, "The algorithm is somewhat intricate, but its core logic is easy to understand."

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat intricate" when the subject is actually simple. Using it inappropriately can make your description seem pretentious or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat intricate" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a moderate degree of complexity or detail. Ludwig AI shows it is used to describe processes, designs, or systems that are not overly simple but also not excessively complicated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat intricate" is a useful adjective phrase to describe something that possesses a moderate level of complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While not overly common, it provides a balanced way to acknowledge complexity without exaggerating it. When using the phrase, be mindful of overstating the intricacy and consider alternatives like "slightly complex" or "moderately detailed" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly complex

Emphasizes the complexity with a milder qualifier.

Moderately detailed

Focuses on the level of detail rather than the complexity.

Reasonably elaborate

Highlights the level of elaboration without implying excessive difficulty.

A bit involved

Uses a more informal tone to indicate complexity.

Mildly complicated

Directly addresses the level of complication in a softened manner.

Somewhat convoluted

Suggests a twisting or complex arrangement, similar to intricate but possibly more negative.

Slightly elaborate

Highlights the elaborateness with a subtle understatement.

Moderately complex

Indicates a medium level of complexity, keeping it straightforward.

Kind of tricky

Uses a colloquial expression to convey a certain level of difficulty.

Fairly complex

Uses a common qualifier to indicate a notable degree of complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat intricate" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat intricate" to describe designs, processes, or ideas that are moderately complex. For instance: "The plot of the movie was "somewhat intricate", requiring close attention to follow all the twists."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat intricate"?

Alternatives include "slightly complex", "moderately detailed", or "a bit involved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat intricate" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat intricate" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to describe something that is not overly complex but still has some level of detail. It strikes a balance between acknowledging complexity and avoiding exaggeration.

What's the difference between "somewhat intricate" and "very intricate"?

"Somewhat intricate" indicates a moderate level of complexity, while "very intricate" suggests a much higher degree of detail and complexity. Use "very intricate" when something is exceedingly detailed and complex.