anything but simple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything but simple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is complex or difficult, indicating that it is far from being straightforward. Example: "The project turned out to be anything but simple, requiring extensive research and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They are anything but simple.

The New Yorker

"It's anything but simple".

The New York Times - Science

Well, anything but simple.

The New York Times - Books

His style, however, is anything but simple.

The New Yorker

Its proposal is anything but simple.

The New York Times

But the truth is anything but simple.

The Guardian

The reality is anything but simple.

The Guardian

The answer was anything but simple.

The New York Times - Travel

The reaction to "Wife" has been anything but simple.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And Exhibit D is simply Afghanistan's anything-but-simple history.

Huffington Post

Like millions of other women, my mother could not have known where her anything-but-simple choice would lead her.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything but simple" to emphasize that something which might appear easy or straightforward is, in reality, complex and requires careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "anything but simple" when a simpler term like "complex" or "complicated" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in straightforward contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything but simple" functions as a qualifier to emphasize that something is not simple, but rather complex. Ludwig examples confirm its role in negating an initial perception of simplicity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anything but simple" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize that something is, in fact, complex. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While it conveys a neutral tone, its use is most effective when highlighting an unexpected complexity. When writing, remember to avoid using this phrase in overly simplistic contexts, opting for more concise alternatives like "complex" or "complicated" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far from simple

Direct synonym, maintaining the same structure and emphasis on the lack of simplicity.

not at all simple

Emphasizes the complete absence of simplicity.

by no means simple

Emphasizes the negation of simplicity.

anything but straightforward

Replaces "simple" with a synonym, maintaining the same structure.

decidedly complex

Shifts focus to the presence of complexity rather than the absence of simplicity.

complicated rather than simple

Explicitly contrasts complexity with simplicity.

highly intricate

Highlights the detailed and complicated nature of something.

complex

A more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea.

not easy

A broader term that implies difficulty, which can stem from complexity.

challenging

Highlights the difficulty and effort required, often due to complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "anything but simple" in a sentence?

Use "anything but simple" to describe something that appears easy but is actually complex. For example, "The solution seemed straightforward, but the implementation was "anything but simple"".

What phrases are similar to "anything but simple"?

Alternatives include "far from simple", "not at all simple", or simply "complex", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "anything but simple"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common idiom used to negate the simplicity of something.

What's the difference between "anything but simple" and "not simple"?

"Anything but simple" emphasizes a greater degree of complexity than "not simple". "Not simple" is a more neutral statement, while "anything but simple" suggests a surprising or unexpected level of complexity.