complex character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex character" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a character in a story who has many different layers to their personality. For example: "The protagonist of the novel is a complex character who struggles with internal conflicts throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Film

TV & Radio

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She's a very complex character.

Independent

Paul Massey was a complex character.

Independent

"He's a rich, complex character.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"But he's a complex character.

The Guardian

"Sherman Billingsley is a very complex character.

The New Yorker

"He is a very complex character.

The New York Times - Arts

Ross is a more complex character.

The Guardian

He was a grizzly, complex character.

The Guardian - Film

"I knew he was a complex character".

The Guardian

He was a complex character, a troubled soul.

The Guardian - Music

Yet again, to me, Paul was a complex character.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When developing a character, consider giving them conflicting motivations. This internal struggle contributes to making them a truly "complex character".

Common error

Avoid reducing a character's complexity to a single, easily resolved issue. A truly "complex character" has deeply rooted, often contradictory, motivations and beliefs that shape their actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex character" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "complex" modifies the noun "character". Ludwig AI shows that it's used to describe individuals with multifaceted personalities, internal contradictions, or intricate backstories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Books

11%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

TV & Radio

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex character" is a commonly used phrase that describes a character with a multifaceted personality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in various types of media, especially in news and media. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register and indicates that the character possesses depth, internal conflict, and is not easily understood. When writing, focus on showcasing a character's internal inconsistencies to capture the multifaceted and realistic nature of a "complex character".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multifaceted individual

Replaces "character" with "individual" and "complex" with "multifaceted", emphasizing the many aspects of a person.

intricate personality

Swaps "complex" for "intricate" and "character" for "personality", highlighting the finely detailed nature of someone's inner self.

many-sided individual

Offers another synonym for complexity, "many-sided", emphasizing that an individual has various facets.

layered persona

Replaces "character" with "persona" and "complex" with "layered", focusing on the different levels of someone's public image.

complicated nature

Substitutes "complex" with "complicated" and "character" with "nature", underscoring the convoluted aspects of someone's being.

enigmatic figure

Replaces "complex" with "enigmatic", suggesting mystery, and replaces "character" with "figure".

challenging protagonist

Changes the descriptor to "challenging", implying difficulties in understanding the character.

deeply involved role

Moves away from the focus on personality to the intensity of a role, changing 'character' to 'role'.

difficult subject

Frames the person as a "difficult subject", switching the focus from the person's complexity to the difficulty of understanding or dealing with them.

unpredictable person

Highlights the unpredictable qualities of the person. Shifts the focus from multifacetedness to the difficulty of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I effectively portray a "complex character" in my writing?

Focus on showcasing their internal conflicts, contradictions, and evolving motivations. Show, don't tell, their complexity through their actions and interactions.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "complex character"?

You could use alternatives such as "multifaceted individual", "intricate personality", or "layered persona", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes a character 'complex' rather than simply 'interesting'?

A "complex character" possesses internal contradictions, conflicting motivations, and a depth of history and experience that shapes their actions. An interesting character might simply be unusual or engaging, without necessarily possessing the same level of internal conflict.

How do external sources influence a character who is a "complex character"?

They are shaped by a multitude of factors like environment and relationships, but their defining trait is how they process, react, and are affected by their external world because of their individual multi-layered personality. A "complex character" will evolve through different experiences.