a somewhat convoluted

USAGE SUMMARY

'a somewhat convoluted' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is complicated or difficult to follow. For example, "The plot of the novel was a somewhat convoluted, with several unexpected twists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Stamp met Buxton through a somewhat convoluted route.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a somewhat convoluted geopolitical analysis that sees an "Anglo-Saxon" axis of Britain and the US dominating Europe, Titov said the British exit meant that within a decade there would be a "united Eurasia".

The Guardian

And finally... yes, that match did receive a mention at the tennis and caused a little confusion when Venus Williams, who played in Istanbul last week, found herself fielding a somewhat convoluted question.

The Guardian - Sport

The Times closed the meeting to news coverage — a throng of reporters stood in front of the theatre's entrance — and, in a somewhat convoluted effort at high-mindedness, barred its own media reporter as well, forcing him, in effect, to rely on leaks from his colleagues.

The New Yorker

Ms. Chabannes continues the archival impulse alluded to by Mr. Longo, with images culled from the Internet and inscribed in shaky outlines, along with carved-out "excavations" in the wall, and accompanied by a somewhat convoluted narrative about "fusional relationships," a concept borrowed from psychology and described in a gallery handout as "the opposite of the primacy of individual identity".

The New York Times

Setup is a somewhat convoluted affair in that you'll have to have the SageTV software installed and registered on your computer before you can really do anything meaningful.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In a fiery, somewhat convoluted sermon originally posted by The New Civil Rights Movement, the right-wing pastor pointed to Oregon's Sweet Cakes by Melissa, whose owners, Aaron and Melissa Klein, were recently slapped with a fine of at least $135,000 for turning away a lesbian couple who sought a wedding cake in 2013.

Huffington Post

Strauss and his librettist, Joseph Gregor, never saw eye to eye about the work, and the libretto as a result is somewhat convoluted.

The New York Times - Arts

In a hedged and somewhat convoluted policy announcement, it indicated that the government would consider exercising the conversion rights on the preferred shares only after the banks failed to pay dividends for two consecutive years.

The New York Times

The album Magic and Loss, from which the track comes, suffered from being somewhat convoluted, having started out as a concept album about "magic" to which was added "loss" when two of the singer's friends died.

The Guardian - Music

His language was somewhat convoluted, but he said that the European Union had called for a road map "that the U.S. supports".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a somewhat convoluted" when you want to describe something that is complex and difficult to follow, but not overwhelmingly so. It implies a moderate level of intricacy that may require some effort to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "a somewhat convoluted" to describe something that is merely slightly complex. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the complexity is significant enough to warrant the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat convoluted" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a certain level of complexity and intricacy. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Arts

3%

Sports

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a somewhat convoluted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something moderately complex and difficult to follow. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts and is generally suitable for neutral to formal writing. When using this phrase, consider whether a simpler alternative might be more appropriate to ensure clarity. Remember that overuse in simple contexts can diminish its impact. Related phrases, such as "a slightly complex" or "a bit tangled", offer alternative ways to convey the meaning, with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rather intricate

Replaces "convoluted" with "intricate", suggesting complexity and detail.

a slightly complex

Uses "complex" instead of "convoluted", indicating something not easy to understand.

a bit tangled

Replaces "somewhat convoluted" with "a bit tangled", implying a messy and confusing situation.

a little complicated

Uses "complicated" instead of "convoluted", conveying a sense of difficulty.

somewhat labyrinthine

Replaces "convoluted" with "labyrinthine", suggesting something intricate and maze-like.

a touch knotty

Uses "knotty" instead of "convoluted", indicating a problem that's difficult to resolve.

a confusing affair

Focuses on the confusion caused by the situation, rather than its inherent complexity.

not entirely straightforward

Indicates that something is not simple or easy to understand.

less than clear-cut

Suggests a lack of clarity and precision.

a Byzantine arrangement

Emphasizes the complexity and secretiveness, drawing a parallel to the Byzantine Empire.

FAQs

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

You can use "a somewhat convoluted" to describe a plan, a process, or a story that is complex and difficult to follow. For example, "The plot of the movie was "a somewhat convoluted" tale of espionage and betrayal."

What's a more straightforward alternative to "a somewhat convoluted"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "slightly complex", "a bit complicated", or "not entirely straightforward" to convey a similar meaning with less emphasis on the intricacy.

Is "a somewhat convoluted" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a somewhat convoluted" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to accurately describe something that is complex without resorting to overly technical or jargon-heavy language. However, ensure the complexity warrants the description.

What's the difference between "a somewhat convoluted" and "a very convoluted"?

"A somewhat convoluted" implies a moderate level of complexity, while "a very convoluted" suggests a much higher degree of intricacy and difficulty to understand. The choice depends on the level of complexity you wish to convey.