complex and drawn-out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex and drawn-out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, process, or explanation that is intricate and takes a long time to unfold or complete. Example: "The negotiations were complex and drawn-out, lasting several months before an agreement was finally reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead it is turning into what looks like a complex and drawn-out military and diplomatic operation that Mr. Hollande's critics are already calling a desert version of a quagmire, like Vietnam or Afghanistan.

The New York Times

That's a painfully complex and drawn-out decision that involves the DOT, the Federal Aviation Administration, Congress, the Justice Department, the Interior Department, and eventually the President.

Forbes

Earlier this year, Iran and the US completed enormously complex and drawn-out negotiations, reaching an agreement to… reach a future agreement that would keep Iran away from nuclear mischief for a good long while.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Procurement processes can be a real challenge, particularly if they are complex and drawn out.

The Guardian

If Labour is elected in 2015, the successful implementation of the its ideas will be complex and drawn out.

The Guardian

The aim, according to Kopel, is to make possession of a shotgun so complex and drawn out that few people believe it worthwhile applying for one.

The Guardian

At CSX, Harrison gets the best of the failed Norfolk Southern deal without the challenges of a complex and drawn out merger process.

Forbes

Any legal or governmental response will, by its very nature, be complex and drawn out, and it's not clear that we have the time.

Forbes

Participants referred to GMC proceedings as long and drawn-out.

BMJ Open

The bad news is that optimizing how, when and which sensors you pull to reduce impact on your battery is nuanced and complex, and requires drawn out battery tests that can take many weeks and months to perform.

TechCrunch

The bad news is that optimizing how, when and which sensors you pull to reduce impact on your battery is nuanced and complex, and requires drawn out battery tests that can take many weeks and months to perform.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or situation, ensure that the use of "complex and drawn-out" accurately reflects both its intricate nature and prolonged duration. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily negative or critical.

Common error

Avoid using "complex and drawn-out" when a simpler term like "complicated" or "lengthy" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Choose the most impactful word or phrase to describe the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex and drawn-out" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its qualities. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and can be used to characterize intricate and prolonged processes or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complex and drawn-out" is a grammatically correct and usable compound adjective that describes something intricate and prolonged. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in News & Media, Science and Wiki and its register is neutral, albeit it is preferable to use alternative expressions when precision is important in technical contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "complicated and lengthy", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure that its usage accurately reflects both the intricacy and prolonged duration of the subject to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicated and lengthy

Replaces "complex" with "complicated" and "drawn-out" with "lengthy", offering a more direct and common alternative.

long and complicated

Inverts the structure and replaces "drawn-out" with "long" and "complex" with "complicated", offering a simpler, more straightforward alternative.

intricate and protracted

Substitutes "complex" with "intricate" and "drawn-out" with "protracted", resulting in a more formal and sophisticated tone.

convoluted and prolonged

Replaces "complex" with "convoluted" and "drawn-out" with "prolonged", suggesting a sense of being unnecessarily complicated and extended.

elaborate and extended

Uses "elaborate" instead of "complex", highlighting the detailed nature, and "extended" instead of "drawn-out", focusing on the duration.

involved and lengthy

Employs "involved" for "complex", indicating a high degree of participation or entanglement, and keeps "lengthy" for duration.

difficult and time-consuming

Focuses on the challenge and duration, replacing "complex" with "difficult" and "drawn-out" with "time-consuming".

arduous and extended

Replaces "complex" with "arduous", emphasizing the difficulty and effort required and "drawn-out" with "extended", focusing on the duration.

tortuous and lengthy

Replaces "complex" with "tortuous", emphasizing the difficulty and painful nature of the process, while retaining the sense of duration with "lengthy".

Byzantine and lengthy

Replaces "complex" with "Byzantine", highlighting the intricacy and secretiveness, while retaining the sense of duration with "lengthy".

FAQs

How can I use "complex and drawn-out" in a sentence?

You can use "complex and drawn-out" to describe a process, negotiation, or situation that is both intricate and takes a long time to resolve. For instance, "The legal proceedings became /s/complex+and+drawn-out, lasting for several years".

What are some alternatives to "complex and drawn-out"?

Alternatives include "complicated and lengthy", "intricate and protracted", or "convoluted and prolonged", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "complex and drawn-out" too negative a phrase?

While it can carry a slightly negative connotation, it's generally neutral. However, consider the context. If you want to sound more positive, you might opt for alternatives like "detailed and thorough" or "elaborate and extended".

When is it appropriate to use "complex and drawn-out"?

Use it when you want to emphasize that something is both complicated in its details and lengthy in its duration. It is particularly useful when the complexity and length are notable aspects of the subject you're describing. In general, prefer using alternatives when length and complexity are not equally present.