a complicated proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complicated proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an idea, plan, or statement that is complex or difficult to understand. Example: "The committee presented a complicated proposition that required extensive discussion before any decisions could be made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This, he said, gets to be a complicated proposition.

The New York Times

But on Monday, Mr. Van Duzer found that fame can be a complicated proposition.

The New York Times

"The Suburbs of Heaven" so mixes tragedy with low comedy that any response becomes a complicated proposition.

The New York Times - Books

The Kansas City Royals travel to Yankee Stadium on Friday, a complicated proposition for the Yankees' first-base coach, Tony Peña.

The New York Times - Sports

Choosing stools for a home, he said, is much easier than choosing them for a bar, which can be a complicated proposition: it's not always good to have seats too comfortable, or too many of them.

The New York Times

Teaching people how to return to a simple lifestyle — not to eat anything, as Ms. Weiser says, "that wouldn't grow in the ground" — turns out to be a complicated proposition, involving a bounty of reading materials and 12 educational sessions over the course of six months, not to mention the tour.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

One of the other measures in Tuesday's election was Proposition C, a complicated proposal that would, among other things, make companies like Airbnb disclose any money they use to encourage hosts to show up at city meetings.

The New York Times - Tech

He is trying to prove that p (which we assume to be a rather complicated proposition) is a necessary truth.

SEP

But while drinking at Varietal is a delight, eating is a more complicated proposition — exciting if you hit the best dishes, exasperating if you don't.

The New York Times - Food

But for an island nation, adaptation is a more complicated proposition.

The New Yorker

"The Monitor," a glorious, rambunctious, unsettling album, has a more complicated proposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a complicated proposition" when you want to convey that a plan, idea, or situation involves many interconnected parts and is not easily resolved or understood. Be sure that the context supports the idea of complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "a complicated proposition" when a simpler term like "difficult task" or "complex issue" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the complexity is a key aspect of the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complicated proposition" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically describes something abstract, like a plan or situation, highlighting its complexity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signals that the matter at hand is not straightforward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complicated proposition" is a useful phrase to describe something that is complex and not easily understood or resolved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific articles, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation truly warrants the description of complexity, and consider alternatives like "complex situation" or "intricate problem" if a simpler term suffices. Remembering these points will ensure you use "a complicated proposition" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex situation

Replaces 'proposition' with 'situation', focusing on the state of affairs rather than a proposal.

an intricate problem

Substitutes 'complicated' with 'intricate' and 'proposition' with 'problem', emphasizing the challenging nature.

a challenging undertaking

Replaces the phrase with a focus on the action or task involved, highlighting the difficulty.

a difficult matter

Offers a more general and straightforward way to describe something that is not easy to deal with.

a knotty issue

Uses a more figurative term ('knotty') to describe a complex and tangled problem.

a convoluted matter

Replaces 'complicated' with 'convoluted', emphasizing the intricate and difficult-to-follow nature of the subject.

a perplexing question

Focuses on the intellectual challenge, highlighting the difficulty in finding an answer.

a thorny subject

Employs the metaphor of 'thorny' to convey the idea that the topic is sensitive and potentially problematic.

a Byzantine process

Uses 'Byzantine' to describe a process that is excessively complicated and characterized by intrigue.

a head-scratcher

A more informal expression meaning something that is difficult to understand or solve.

FAQs

How can I use "a complicated proposition" in a sentence?

You can use "a complicated proposition" to describe anything from a business deal to a scientific theory. For example, "Negotiating the contract turned out to be "a complicated proposition", requiring several rounds of revisions".

What are some alternatives to "a complicated proposition"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a complex situation", "an intricate problem", or "a challenging undertaking". Each emphasizes a different aspect of the difficulty.

Is "a complicated proposition" formal or informal?

"A complicated proposition" leans toward a neutral to slightly formal tone. It's suitable for professional writing but might be replaced with a simpler phrase in casual conversation.

What makes something "a complicated proposition"?

Something becomes "a complicated proposition" when it involves many interconnected factors, making it difficult to understand, analyze, or resolve simply. The term emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the issue.