a rather convoluted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rather convoluted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is complex, intricate, or difficult to understand, often referring to explanations, arguments, or narratives. Example: "The author's latest novel presents a rather convoluted plot that requires careful attention to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It would be a rather convoluted, needless way of dodging something.

The Guardian - Sport

Speaking on BBC Radio Orkney's Around Orkney programme on Monday morning, Carmichael offered a rather convoluted explanation for why this was not an outright lie.

The Guardian

In a rather convoluted talk, in which he identifies the main pollution problem as oxides of nitrogen, he grandly declares: "Nature it seems also produces oxides of nitrogen.

The New York Times - Books

After the requisite funny story — a rather convoluted one about her husband's home town of Russell, Kansas — Dole launched into a stupefying account of a recent nine-day campaign trip.

The New Yorker

The company has a rather convoluted history.

TechCrunch

Another graphene/reduced graphene oxide composite was reported by Ma et al. [57] through a rather convoluted synthesis involving various steps.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But that's it: I didn't buy one of the characters, I didn't buy one of the plot twists, I found the stuff about a Halliburton-esque company rather convoluted and I was completely absorbed by the rest.

The Guardian - Books

Today, we'll start with one actual Democratic talking point (because it is so excellent), move along to one rather convoluted setup to a talking point from a Republican (which now proves false an incredibly silly bit of nonsense making the rounds in Rightwingistan), and then we're just going to make fun of Republicans for the remaining five talking points.

Huffington Post

For instance, a typical description of the glucose uptake process might be in the form of a kinetic Michaelis-Menten process of the type (3.2a) This differential equation can be solved analytically, but the explicit solution of y as a function of time is rather convoluted.

BMC Systems Biology

Sometimes the Freudian picture got rather convoluted.

The Economist

The mechanics of the new format are rather convoluted.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rather convoluted", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to grasp the nature of the complexity. Overuse can make writing seem unnecessarily verbose.

Common error

Avoid using "a rather convoluted" when you simply mean "complex". "Convoluted" implies more than just complexity; it suggests unnecessary entanglement or difficulty in understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rather convoluted" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It characterizes a noun by describing it as complex and intricate, often implying unnecessary difficulty or complication. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rather convoluted" is a phrase used to describe something unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, implying a neutral register. Related phrases include "quite complex" and "fairly complicated". When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its use, as overuse can detract from clarity. While accurate, "convoluted" carries a nuance of unnecessary entanglement, distinguishing it from simpler terms like "complex".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite complex

Replaces "rather convoluted" with a simpler term indicating complexity.

somewhat intricate

Substitutes "convoluted" with "intricate", suggesting detailed complexity.

fairly complicated

Uses "complicated" instead of "convoluted", indicating a lack of simplicity.

a bit tangled

Employs a metaphor to describe something confusingly interconnected.

moderately complex

Replaces "rather" with "moderately", adjusting the degree of complexity.

not straightforward

Uses negation to indicate a lack of directness or simplicity.

somewhat labyrinthine

Employs a stronger metaphor suggesting a maze-like complexity.

a little involved

Replaces "convoluted" with "involved", indicating complexity and engagement.

not entirely clear

Focuses on the lack of clarity, rather than the structural complexity.

a roundabout way

Describes a method or process as indirect and circuitous.

FAQs

How can I use "a rather convoluted" in a sentence?

You can use "a rather convoluted" to describe processes, explanations, or stories that are unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow. For example: "The plot of the movie was "a rather convoluted" mess of timelines and hidden motives."

What is a simpler alternative to "a rather convoluted"?

If you want to convey the same idea with simpler wording, you could use phrases like "quite complex" or "fairly complicated".

Is it okay to use "a rather convoluted" in formal writing?

While "a rather convoluted" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as less direct than alternatives. Consider your audience and the desired tone; in some formal contexts, a more straightforward term might be preferable.

What does "convoluted" specifically imply that "complex" doesn't?

"Convoluted" suggests that something is not only complex but also unnecessarily intricate and difficult to understand, often due to being overly complicated or poorly structured. "Complex" simply means having many parts or being intricate.