a hidden complexity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hidden complexity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has intricate or complicated aspects that are not immediately obvious. Example: "The novel appears simple at first glance, but it reveals a hidden complexity that challenges the reader's understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He thinks that they were more like visual ornaments for sexual display, which may indicate a hidden complexity to dinosaur behaviour.

Independent

The result is a more careful investigation into the nature of moral desert than has ever previously been offered, one that reveals desert to have a hidden complexity that most of us have failed to recognize.

Yale University

The overall success rate of less than 1% for identifying genes underlying QTLs has been explained by various means, and likely reflects a hidden complexity in the QTL analyses.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kuckenbaker says in the video's description, "it's serendipity that I made a video about hidden complexity in a place with an enormous amount of hidden complexity".

Vice

As with most things that seem simple, there's a lot of hidden complexity in these questions.

Stanford University

In the Philosophical Investigations, Wittgenstein pointed to the hidden complexity of the apparently simple notion of "following a rule".

The Guardian - Books

Hidden Complexity of Yeast Adaptation under Simple Evolutionary Conditions.

Stanford University

How does the painting's complexity reflect the hidden complexity in our recent tri-continental merger?

Harvard Business Review

This opens in a direct fashion, with citrus flavors predominating, but lingers to reveal white flower notes and other hidden complexity.

The New York Times - Food

In the truck industry, manufacturers typically offer customers pages of options for customizing their vehicles, leading to innumerable build permutations and hidden complexity across the value chain.

Harvard Business Review

His most recently published book, The Geometry of Desert, uses graphs to reveal the hidden complexity of the concept of moral desert.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a hidden complexity", ensure that you provide context or examples to illustrate the complexity you are referring to. This helps the reader understand the depth and subtlety involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a hidden complexity" when the complexity is already apparent. The phrase is most effective when describing intricacies that are not immediately noticeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hidden complexity" functions as a noun phrase, where "hidden" is an adjective modifying the noun "complexity". It describes a quality or characteristic of something that is not immediately apparent but exists nonetheless. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hidden complexity" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to describe intricacies that are not immediately obvious. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate in various contexts, although more commonly found in scientific, academic, and news-related domains. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify the specific complexity being referenced, preventing any potential ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "an underlying intricacy" or "a concealed complication" to fine-tune the intended meaning. While relatively rare in overall usage, its precision makes it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an underlying intricacy

Focuses on the intricate nature being fundamental but not immediately apparent.

a concealed complication

Emphasizes that the complexity is deliberately or naturally hidden.

a subtle depth

Highlights the depth of understanding required to perceive the complexity.

an unseen sophistication

Suggests the complexity is advanced and not easily recognized.

a veiled intricacy

Implies the intricacy is covered or disguised.

a latent complexity

Focuses on the potential complexity that is not yet fully realized or visible.

a non-obvious difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty or complexity is not immediately apparent.

an invisible entanglement

Suggests a complex and interwoven structure that is not easily seen.

a background complexity

Implies the complexity exists in the background, influencing the overall situation without being obvious.

an implicit intricacy

Focuses on the intricacy being implied but not explicitly stated or shown.

FAQs

How can I use "a hidden complexity" in a sentence?

You can use "a hidden complexity" to describe something that appears simple but has underlying intricate details. For example, "The seemingly straightforward algorithm possesses "a hidden complexity" that makes it difficult to optimize."

What are some alternatives to "a hidden complexity"?

Alternatives include "an underlying intricacy", "a concealed complication", or "a subtle depth" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "hidden complexity" or "a hidden complexity"?

Both "hidden complexity" and "a hidden complexity" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context. "A hidden complexity" is used when you are referring to a specific instance of complexity, whereas "hidden complexity" can refer to the general concept.

What's the difference between "a hidden complexity" and "a simple complexity"?

"A hidden complexity" refers to intricate details that are not immediately obvious. In contrast, "a simple complexity" is an oxymoron, as complexity typically implies something not simple. You might use "apparent simplicity" to describe something that seems easy but is actually difficult.