be complicated enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be complicated enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or condition that requires a certain level of complexity to achieve a specific outcome. Example: "The project must be complicated enough to challenge the team's problem-solving skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The state structure must be complicated enough to accommodate all the pathways observed in the data, yet simple enough to allow meaningful inference.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Christopher is in his element demonstrating his product for the Dragons, but the structure of his company could just be complicated enough to scare them off.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Any cultural trait visible enough to be noted is complicated enough to be non-exportable.

The New Yorker

It's complicated enough to be away for five days, working.

The New York Times

It's complicated enough to understand, and some women will take these odds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This alone is complicated enough to make most elected officials' heads hurt.

The Washington Post

And yet the whole transfer is complicated enough to cause a few headaches on both sides.

The Guardian - Sport

The rules are complicated enough to warrant the help of an investment adviser or accountant.

The New York Times

Or, more precisely, they perhaps could if Stormy Daniels's former friend were complicated enough to be embarrassed.

The Washington Post

"It was complicated enough to reach this deal already, and it would be impossible to reach another deal".

The New Yorker

Yet Mr. Rodden's anthology reminds a reader that Trilling was complicated enough to be hailed by such disparate figures as Edmund Wilson and Irving Kristol.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be complicated enough to" when you want to indicate that something needs a certain degree of complexity to achieve a desired outcome. For instance, "The explanation must be complicated enough to cover all aspects of the issue, but simple enough for the audience to understand."

Common error

Avoid using "be complicated enough to" in excessively long or convoluted sentences. Ensure clarity and conciseness to maintain readability. Overusing complex phrasing can confuse the reader and detract from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be complicated enough to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a quality of sufficient complexity. It indicates that something possesses the necessary level of intricacy to achieve a specific purpose or result. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be complicated enough to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, though not very common. It's used to describe something that has sufficient complexity to achieve a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase appears in both news and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases include "be sufficiently complex to" and "be intricate enough to". When using this phrase, ensure the sentence structure remains clear and concise to avoid overcomplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficiently complex to

Replaces "complicated enough" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

be intricate enough to

Substitutes "complicated" with "intricate", highlighting the detailed nature of the complexity.

be complex enough for

Similar structure, but changes the preposition to "for", slightly altering the focus.

be elaborate enough to

Emphasizes the detailed and extensive nature of the complexity.

be sophisticated enough to

Highlights the advanced and refined nature of the complexity.

be involved enough to

Focuses on the degree of engagement and interconnectedness within the complexity.

have sufficient complexity to

Shifts the phrasing to emphasize possession of the necessary complexity.

possess the required complexity for

More formal and emphasizes the necessity of the complexity.

be of a complexity sufficient to

More verbose and formal rearrangement of the original phrase.

reach a level of complexity that

Focuses on the process of achieving the necessary complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "be complicated enough to" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that something needs a certain level of complexity to achieve a specific outcome. For example, "The problem be complicated enough to require expert assistance."

What are some alternatives to "be complicated enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "be sufficiently complex to", "be intricate enough to", or "have sufficient complexity to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "be complex enough to" or "be complicated enough to"?

Both "be complex enough to" and "be complicated enough to" are valid and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Complex" might suggest a more inherent property, while "complicated" might suggest something has become difficult or intricate.

What's the difference between "be difficult enough to" and "be complicated enough to"?

"Be difficult enough to" suggests something is challenging to do or understand due to its inherent nature, while "be complicated enough to" suggests something has many interconnected parts or steps, making it intricate and potentially confusing.