a complication are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complication are" is not correct in written English.
It is likely a grammatical error, as "are" should not follow "a complication," which is singular. Example: "A complication is expected during the procedure."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The stages of a complication are assumed irreversible – only progression to more severe stages is possible.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

7 Hospital costs for surgical patients experiencing a complication are substantially higher than for patients without a complication.

BMJ Open

Patients that appear to be at risk for such a complication are those with severe coagulopathy (i.e. low platelet counts, high international normalized ratio).

Critical Care

Signs to be alert for which may indicate a complication are listed in the following steps.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Such a complication was something he knew he had to expect with the chaos of Sept. 11.

The New York Times

A complication is that the underground consists of layers with very large contrasts in permeability.

Journal of Computational Physics

A complication is that the underground consists of layers with very large differences in permeability.

Journal of Computational Physics

The only factor associated with such a complication was transplantation in super urgent conditions.

Annals of Intensive Care

A complication is that sometimes "acting in accordance" may not be very straightforward.

SEP

Actually, there is a complication (being ignored here) because of the contraction rule.

SEP

A complication is that moderate Uighur voices have been silenced.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a single complication, ensure the verb agrees with the singular subject. Use "a complication is" instead of "a complication are".

Common error

Avoid using plural verbs with singular subjects. The phrase "a complication" is singular and requires a singular verb form like "is" or "was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complication are" functions as a noun phrase intended to identify a problem or difficulty, but it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the singular noun phrase requires a singular verb. The examples provided demonstrate correct usage with singular verbs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complication are" is grammatically incorrect due to a subject-verb agreement error. The singular noun "a complication" requires a singular verb form, such as "is" or "was". Ludwig AI emphasizes this grammatical error. The limited examples found using this phrase underscore its rarity and incorrectness in standard English. To correct this, use "a complication is" or, if referring to multiple issues, "complications are". Understanding the importance of subject-verb agreement ensures clear and effective communication across various contexts, from formal academic writing to news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complication is

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular verb form 'is' to agree with the singular noun 'complication'.

one complication is

Emphasizes the singularity of the complication while maintaining grammatical correctness.

complications are

Shifts to the plural form to discuss multiple complications, requiring the plural verb 'are'.

a potential complication is

Adds the adjective 'potential' to specify the nature of the complication and uses the singular verb 'is'.

a frequent complication is

Specifies the frequency of the complication and uses the singular verb 'is'.

a major complication is

Highlights the significance of the complication and uses the singular verb 'is'.

a minor complication is

Indicates the severity of the complication as less significant and uses the singular verb 'is'.

a further complication is

Introduces the complication as an additional point and uses the singular verb 'is'.

an added complication is

Similar to 'further complication', indicating an additional element that complicates the situation and uses the singular verb 'is'.

a rare complication is

Indicates the infrequency of the complication and uses the singular verb 'is'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a complication are"?

The correct phrasing is "a complication is". The original phrase contains a subject-verb agreement error, as the singular subject "a complication" requires the singular verb form "is".

When should I use "complications are" instead of "a complication are"?

Use "complications are" when referring to multiple complications. The plural subject "complications" requires the plural verb form "are". For example, "The main "complications are" bleeding and infection".

What are some synonyms for "a complication"?

Synonyms for "a complication" include "a problem", "an issue", "a difficulty", or "an obstacle". Depending on the context, you might also use "a setback" or "a snag".

How can I rephrase a sentence that incorrectly uses "a complication are"?

Instead of saying "a complication are", you can rephrase the sentence to use the correct form, such as "a complication is" or "one complication is". For example, "A potential "complication is" infection".