complacent with that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complacent with that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "complacent about that" or "complacent with the situation." Example: "He seemed complacent about that, not realizing the potential consequences of his actions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's good to start there," forward Blake Griffin said of the team's record, "but we don't want to be complacent with that.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The minute I get negligent or complacent with it that's the minute I become unstuck.

Vice

One thing I've noticed about early adopters is that they seem complacent with the knowledge that all their time and effort may soon be obviated as the sites to which they sign up disappear.

TechCrunch

I think that many have grown complacent with the belief that women "have come a long way, baby".

Huffington Post

As with any hazardous operation, as soon as it is considered routine, those involved with planning that operation or with its execution are in danger of becoming complacent, with the result that risks associated with any of the operational hazards increase significantly.

Well Testing Project Management Onshore and Offshore Operations

Commonwealth Bank's financial success has "dulled" its senses, leaving it with a complacent culture that is dismissive of regulators, with a lack of accountability among senior executives and a remuneration framework that has no bite.

The Guardian

And why are we so complacent with these changes that, quite literally, disrupt our online social lives?

TechCrunch

"Are we so complacent with our rights that we would allow a president to say he might kill Americans?" Paul asked.

Los Angeles Times

Companies will either become more transparent, to keep the retail investor happy, or will themselves enforce secrecy rather than being complacent with the idea that the law somehow protects their secrets.

HuffPost

Are we so complacent with our rights that we would allow a president to say he might kill Americans, but he will judge the circumstances, he will be the sole arbiter, he will be the sole de- cider, he will be the executioner in chief if he sees fit?

Huffington Post

British emigrants and visitors to South Africa constantly regaled us with that complacent old cliché about having to go there to understand or judge the situation.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "complacent with that" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives like "complacent about that" or "satisfied with that".

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "complacent" with the wrong preposition. While "complacent with" might seem intuitive, standard usage favors "complacent about". Always double-check preposition choices to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complacent with that" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English and suggests using "complacent about that" instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "complacent with that" might be encountered, it's grammatically incorrect according to standard English usage. Ludwig AI confirms this, recommending "complacent about that" as a more suitable alternative. The phrase aims to express a sense of self-satisfaction or lack of concern, but its non-standard construction diminishes its effectiveness. Therefore, it's advisable to opt for grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives like "satisfied with that" or "content with that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfied with that

Focuses on satisfaction as opposed to the negative connotation of complacency.

content with that

Replaces "complacent" with "content", indicating a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction.

happy with that

Simple and direct expression of happiness about something.

comfortable with that

Indicates a feeling of ease and lack of concern.

at ease with that

Suggests a sense of relaxation and acceptance regarding the situation.

unconcerned with that

Highlights a lack of worry or interest, moving away from the negative aspect of complacency.

indifferent to that

Implies a neutral attitude, showing neither positive nor negative feelings.

apathetic about that

Indicates a lack of interest or enthusiasm, further emphasizing a passive stance.

negligent with that

Shifts the focus to a lack of proper care or attention.

lackadaisical regarding that

Emphasizes a careless and relaxed attitude.

FAQs

What's a more appropriate way to say "complacent with that"?

You can use phrases like "complacent about that", "satisfied with that", or "comfortable with that" depending on the context.

Is "complacent with that" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "complacent with that" is not considered correct. The preferred phrasing is typically "complacent about that".

What does it mean to be "complacent about something"?

To be "complacent about something" means to be self-satisfied and unconcerned, often to a fault, regarding a particular situation or issue.

Are there situations where "complacent with" is acceptable?

While "complacent with" is occasionally encountered, it's generally advisable to use "complacent about" as it aligns better with standard grammatical conventions and is more widely accepted.