complex how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex how" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a complicated manner of doing something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I find it difficult to understand the complex how of the process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

JR: Your books are complex, how long did it take to put the new one together?

The Guardian - Music

If it's too complex, how are their employees going to follow it?

The New York Times

THE EDIFICE COMPLEX: How the Rich and Powerful -- and Their Architects -- Shape the World, by Deyan Sudjic.

The New York Times

She tells neighbors in her Bronzeville apartment complex how to sign up and drops off brochures at the library.

The New York Times

What has ultimately been described as presentation is much more complex: how to deal with something that is here".

The New York Times - Arts

"What has changed," she told me, "is my sense of how extremely complex, how extremely textured, any particular case is".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

We kept referring to it as a "no instructions required" approach: we wanted an app that was so intuitive, we would not have to add a complex "how-to" screen when users entered the app for the first time.

Huffington Post

This might be the most complex How-To we've posted yet, as constructing this 8×8×8 LED Display cube will take you about four days (after gathering all the necessary materials) from prototyping to completion, and another four to five days to program the software if you want to add visual effects and set your cube to music.

Vice

Ongoing investigations should provide further insights into the source of nucleic acid/protein molecular complexes, how these complexes enter the cell, and why these complexes become immune stimulants in lupus but not normal individuals.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

A major gap in our understanding of epigenetic regulation for chromatin-modifying complexes is how these complexes are targeted to specific regions of the genome.

Biological Procedures Online

The HDX data for the complex showed how light activation of AppA PpsR2 influences the PpsR effector region, altering how the complex would interact with DNA.

Analytical Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "complex how" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "how complicated" or "the complexity of".

Common error

Do not directly combine the adjective "complex" with "how" to describe a process. Instead, clarify the sentence by using a noun form like "complexity" or replacing "complex" with synonyms like "complicated" or "intricate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex how" functions as part of a relative clause, attempting to modify a noun by describing the manner in which something is complex. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complex how" is frequently encountered but grammatically questionable. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's not considered grammatically correct. While numerous examples are found across diverse sources like news media and scientific publications, clarity and correctness are paramount. To avoid ambiguity, writers should opt for alternative constructions such as "how complicated", "the complexity of", or rephrasing the sentence for better precision. While used, especially in informal contexts, remember to choose precise, grammatically accurate alternatives in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how complicated

Replaces "complex" with a direct synonym, maintaining the sentence structure.

the complexity of

Shifts the focus to the level of complexity, rephrasing the sentence.

the intricate method of

Replaces "complex" with "intricate" and "how" with "method of", highlighting a detailed process.

how elaborate

Uses "elaborate" instead of "complex" to emphasize the detailed nature.

the sophisticated manner in which

Replaces "complex" with "sophisticated" and "how" with "manner in which", suggesting refinement.

the involved process of

Focuses on the process being "involved" rather than simply complex.

how convoluted

Uses "convoluted" to imply that something is unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow.

the difficult means by which

Emphasizes the difficulty of the means or method involved.

the challenging way in which

Highlights the challenging aspect of the way something is done.

the sophisticated procedure for

Emphasizes the sophistication of procedure.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "complex how"?

Instead of "complex how", consider using phrases like "how complicated", "the complexity of", or "the intricate method of" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "complex how" grammatically correct?

No, "complex how" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternative phrasing that clearly conveys the intended meaning, such as "how complex" or "the complexity of".

Can I use "complex how" in formal writing?

It is advisable to avoid "complex how" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically standard alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism. For instance, use phrases such as "how complicated" or rephrase the sentence to use "complexity" as a noun.

What does "complex how" mean?

The phrase "complex how" attempts to describe the intricate or complicated manner in which something is done or understood. However, it's grammatically awkward. More effective ways to express this include "how complex the process is" or "the "complexity of" the method".