a complex year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complex year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a year that has been filled with various challenges, events, or changes that are difficult to navigate or understand. Example: "2020 was a complex year for many, as it brought unprecedented challenges and changes to our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It will be a complex year, a year of challenges".

The Guardian - Business

Banco Santander, the largest Spanish lender, said 2008 had been a complex year and warned that 2009 would be challenging.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Next year is a very complex year.

BBC

"This will be an exceptionally complex year for the Chilean wine industry and much will depend on what winemakers make of the grapes," says Mr Sánchez.Then there is wine-related tourism.

The Economist

But after the dazzling confidence of love at first sight came a complex, chaotic year, and what had at first seemed so certain to us (and still seems so now) no longer appeared at all certain or even desirable.

The New York Times

Some rums, like the Santa Teresa 1796, use something akin to sherry's solera system, mixing rums of many different years over time until, theoretically, a complex multi-year blend is achieved.

The New York Times - Food

Several repairs had been made on a complex 50-year-old heating system at the sprawling Bay View Houses in Canarsie, Brooklyn, before a steam pipe burst on Sunday, producing extreme levels of heat in a disabled woman's apartment, the New York City Housing Authority said yesterday.

The New York Times

Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, has officially given notice that his troops will march into eastern Congo, and some reports suggest they already have.The last time the Rwandans invaded, in 1998, they sparked a complex five-year war that left perhaps 3m dead, mostly from war-induced starvation and disease.

The Economist

To simplify what the company pitches as a complex, many-year plan, Gogoro is making two things for now: an electric scooter they call Smartscooter, and a battery swapping infrastructure to power it.

TechCrunch

Rusnak, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud last October, admitting that he devised a complex five-year scheme to collect salary and bonuses totaling $850,000, from 1997 to 2001, by hiding risky yen-dollar investments that went wrong and spun out of control.

Forbes

The casting of the two lead roles became a complex, two-year endeavor.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complex year", provide specific examples or context to illustrate the nature of the complexity. This adds clarity and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a complex year" as a vague statement. Without further explanation, it may leave the reader wondering what made the year particularly complex. Always provide specific examples or clarify the reasons behind the assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complex year" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it describes a year characterized by complicated or multifaceted events and challenges.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a complex year" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a year filled with various challenges and intricate situations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides several examples from reputable sources. While its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase effectively communicates the idea of a year marked by multifaceted issues, as evidenced by its usage in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "a challenging year" or "a difficult year" offer similar meanings, but "a complex year" emphasizes the intricate and interconnected nature of the year's events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging year

Focuses on the difficulties and obstacles encountered during the year.

a difficult year

Emphasizes the hardships and troubles experienced throughout the year.

a complicated year

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the year's events.

a demanding year

Stresses the high expectations and pressures faced during the year.

an eventful year

Indicates that the year was filled with numerous significant events and happenings.

a transformative year

Suggests that the year brought about significant changes and shifts.

a turbulent year

Emphasizes the instability and unrest experienced during the year.

a watershed year

Highlights the year's importance as a turning point or major event.

a pivotal year

Indicates that the year was crucial and decisive for future outcomes.

a testing year

Focuses on the trials and challenges that tested resilience and strength during the year.

FAQs

How can I use "a complex year" in a sentence?

You can use "a complex year" to describe a period marked by multiple challenges, intricate situations, or significant changes. For example, "2020 was "a complex year" for the travel industry due to the pandemic".

What is a good alternative to "a complex year"?

Alternatives include "a challenging year", "a difficult year", or "a complicated year", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a complex year" or "a complicated year"?

Both "a complex year" and "a complicated year" are acceptable. "Complex" emphasizes interconnectedness and multiple factors, while "complicated" suggests intricacy and difficulty in understanding. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes a year "complex"?

A year can be considered "complex" due to a combination of factors such as economic instability, political turmoil, social changes, or unforeseen events that create multifaceted challenges and require careful navigation.