big complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big complex" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is large and intricate, often referring to structures, systems, or ideas that have many interconnected parts. Example: "The new housing development is a big complex that includes multiple buildings, parks, and recreational facilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These were firms of different sizes, including some very large firms like Microsoft and Ericsson handling big complex operations.

Forbes

"It's such a big, complex thing".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Universities tackle society's big, complex issues.

The Guardian

"Back then we did big, complex and expensive outsourcing deals.

The New York Times - Tech

It is just a really big, complex place".

The Guardian - Arts

O'Neill prides himself on thinking analytically about big, complex problems.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The big, complex banks have been chastened," he said.

The New York Times

"It's a big, complex, organic thing," he said.

The Economist

"They're big, complex machines," said Kevin Beck, the lawyer.

The New York Times - Sports

They make a big complex in their architecture and their function.

Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique

Research reveals five lessons that can help executives manage big, complex projects more effectively.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing projects or systems, use "big complex" to effectively convey both the scale and intricacy involved. This helps set expectations for the resources and expertise required.

Common error

Avoid using "big complex" when a simpler adjective like "large" or "intricate" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big complex" functions primarily as a compound adjective used to describe nouns. It combines the general descriptor "big" with the more specific "complex" to emphasize both the size and intricacy of the described entity. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big complex" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is both large in scale and intricate in nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a compound adjective. Its usage spans various contexts, with news and media being the most frequent. While alternatives exist, "big complex" effectively conveys both size and intricacy simultaneously. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where both aspects are relevant to avoid unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large and intricate

Emphasizes the detailed and elaborate nature of something, similar to "big complex" but with a focus on design.

extensive and complicated

Highlights the breadth and complexity, interchangeable with "big complex" but more formal.

vast and sophisticated

Suggests a wide scope and a high degree of refinement, differing from "big complex" by adding an element of elegance.

sizeable and elaborate

Focuses on the physical dimensions and the intricacy of design, comparable to "big complex" in technical contexts.

massive and convoluted

Implies a large scale and a tangled, difficult-to-follow structure, sharing the magnitude aspect of "big complex" with a negative twist.

substantial and multifaceted

Highlights the significant amount and the many aspects, similar to "big complex" but stressing variety.

considerable and sophisticated

Indicates a noteworthy amount and advanced design, comparable to "big complex" in terms of scale and detail.

broad and intricate

Emphasizes the wide scope and the detailed design, similar to "big complex" but focusing on the scope.

grand and labyrinthine

Suggests impressive scale and a maze-like structure, different from "big complex" by adding an element of confusion.

extensive and multifaceted

Highlights the broad range and many aspects, akin to "big complex" with a focus on variety and breadth.

FAQs

How can I use "big complex" in a sentence?

You can use "big complex" to describe various nouns such as "systems", "problems", or "projects". For example, "The company is dealing with a "big complex problem".".

What are some alternatives to "big complex"?

Some alternatives include "large and intricate", "extensive and complicated", or "vast and sophisticated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "big complex" since 'complex' already implies something large or substantial?

While "complex" does imply intricacy, adding "big" emphasizes the scale or scope of the complexity, making it suitable when the size or extent is a significant factor. So no, it is not redundant.

What is the difference between "big complex" and "complex" alone?

Using "complex" alone simply describes something with many interconnected parts. Adding "big" highlights the magnitude or scale of the complexity, emphasizing that it's not only intricate but also extensive in scope.