a slightly complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that involves more than a few steps or is more involved than expected. For example, "It was a slightly complicated process that required a lot of attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's a slightly complicated route.

The Guardian - Music

This is a slightly complicated matter.

The New York Times - Arts

"A slightly complicated method I know," he begins.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a slightly complicated form of nonsense.

The New Yorker

The sources of such large differences make for a slightly complicated story.

The New York Times

Being a gay man, I have a slightly complicated relationship to the idea of masculinity.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Amid the oohing and aahing about Sophia's uncannily lifelike appearance — she was modelled after Audrey Hepburn, an homage slightly complicated by her built-in neck zipper — there were several objections.

The New Yorker

The account has to be slightly complicated to accommodate a distinction between simple and complex propositions: it will apply directly only to simple propositions, and indirectly to complex ones.

SEP

"It was slightly complicated, because you have a lot of people involved, and obviously a lot of other agencies involved," Armstrong said of the delay.

The New York Times - Sports

I would like to return the favor, but vengeance is slightly complicated because I'm a lame mixologist.

The New York Times - Tech

Outside this pH range – at the extremes of high and low pH – the polymer coil collapsed and interpretation of the scattering was slightly complicated by the presence of a very weak structure factor indicating that the polymer coils are highly charged.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly complicated", ensure the context provides enough information for the audience to understand the nature and scope of the complication without being overwhelmed by unnecessary details. Be concise in your explanation.

Common error

Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly technical language when describing something as "a slightly complicated". The goal is to provide clarity, not to intimidate or confuse the reader with excessive detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly complicated" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun by indicating a moderate degree of complexity. Ludwig demonstrates this use in various contexts, ranging from describing routes and methods to stories and formulas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slightly complicated" is a versatile descriptor used to indicate a moderate level of complexity without being overwhelming. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains like news, science, and business. While alternatives like "a bit involved" or "somewhat intricate" exist, "a slightly complicated" offers a balanced tone suitable for diverse contexts. The key is to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature of the complexity without over-elaborating, ensuring clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moderately complex

This alternative suggests a level of complexity that is somewhat higher than slightly but still within a manageable range.

a somewhat intricate

This phrase emphasizes the detailed and interwoven nature of the complication.

a bit involved

This alternative uses more informal language to describe the complexity.

a tad complex

This phrase uses a more informal tone indicating something is a little complex.

a marginally knotty

This uses 'knotty' to mean problematic, and the phrase refers to something that's only marginally difficult to solve.

a touch convoluted

This alternative suggests a winding and confusing aspect to the complication.

a little tricky

This alternative focuses on the challenging aspect of the situation.

a mite perplexing

This phrase emphasizes the confusing aspect of the subject.

somewhat problematic

This alternative replaces complexity with the idea of something causing potential issues.

reasonably elaborate

This suggests something that is detailed and carefully arranged, but not necessarily difficult to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly complicated" to describe processes, situations, or stories that have more than a few steps or elements. For example, "The instructions for assembling the furniture were "a slightly complicated", but I managed to figure it out."

What are some alternatives to "a slightly complicated"?

Alternatives include "a bit involved", "somewhat intricate", or "a little tricky". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "slightly complicated" or "a little complicated"?

Both "slightly complicated" and "a little complicated" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.

What does it mean when something is described as "a slightly complicated" matter?

It means the matter is not entirely straightforward and requires careful consideration due to the number of elements or steps involved, but is not overwhelmingly complex.