complex in character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex in character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has multiple layers, intricacies, or is not straightforward in nature, often referring to personalities, situations, or concepts. Example: "The novel's protagonist is complex in character, making her journey all the more compelling."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Meanwhile, health service organizations are becoming increasingly large and complex in character, making it necessary to extend the scope of the systems that are used for managing data, information and knowledge.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

The audience asks, each and every year, to only get more complex in character and more complex in story.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kim Newman, reviewing the film for Empire, concluded, "Skyfall is pretty much all you could want from a 21st Century Bond: cool but not camp, respectful of tradition but up to the moment, serious in its thrills and relatively complex in its characters but with the sense of fun that hasn't always been evident lately".

Wikipedia

The authors addressed and discussed apparent artifacts that were mainly caused by parallel reductions in character complexes (e.g., the flight apparatus).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The absence of any complexes with 3 seems to point in the same direction as previously discussed, namely, that the halogen bonds formed by the Pd complexes are mainly electrostatic in character and hence the Pd–I moiety is a too weak XB acceptor.

Crystal Growth & Design

Before he took the role he met with the creators and insisted that he wanted a "complex, nuanced character" — in this case a man whose acts are based on his faith, with a motivation more personal than political.

The New York Times - Arts

This was a dense, dark study of personal and cultural exploitation; again Minghella displayed his gift for ironic comedy and that special touch with female roles, creating a strong, complex central character in Frances (Felicity Kendal), wife of a devious and ultimately frightening businessman.

Independent

Isn't that all we expect of female characters on cable TV? (Yes, that was a rhetorical question. And yes, Showtime gave us a fantastically complex female character in the first season of "Homeland," which is what makes the women of "Lies" all the more disappointing).

Huffington Post

In other gangster shows, there's little exploration of female characters, but in The Sopranos, you have three such complex characters in the wife, the mother and the therapist.

The Guardian

He concludes that the play is not drama but "propaganda," since Shakespeare was just flattering King James with an attack on the Gunpowder Plot — which means that "Duncan, Macbeth and Banquo are more complex characters in Holinshed" (the source) "than in Shakespeare".

The New York Times - Books

Ariel (Lili Taylor, Leonardd's nonliterary daughter, is in some ways the most complex character in the story, her temperament a thicket of contradictory impulses and desires.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "complex in character" to indicate depth and multifaceted traits, rather than simply stating they are "complex".

Common error

Avoid using "complex" alone when you intend to convey the idea of a character's depth. Instead of saying "He is a complex character", specify "He is "complex in character"" to emphasize the inherent nature of their complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex in character" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically used to describe the multifaceted nature of a person, organization, or concept. As Ludwig AI suggests, it adds emphasis on the inherent complexity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complex in character" is a grammatically sound way to describe something with multifaceted and intricate qualities. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. It's often found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, specifying "complex in character" is more emphatic than merely stating something is "complex". Remember that, as Ludwig AI suggests, alternatives such as "intricate in nature" or "multifaceted in personality" can provide additional shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intricate in nature

Focuses on the detailed and elaborate aspects rather than personality or role.

multifaceted in personality

Highlights the many different aspects of someone's personality.

complicated in disposition

Emphasizes the difficult or confusing aspects of someone's temperament.

deep in nature

Implies a profound and insightful quality.

rich in complexity

Highlights the abundance of intricate details.

involved in traits

Suggests that the character is entangled in a web of characteristics.

elaborate in design

Refers to intricate planning and creation rather than inherent qualities.

nuanced in presentation

Emphasizes the subtle and sophisticated aspects of how something is shown or expressed.

sophisticated in attributes

Suggests a refined and advanced set of characteristics.

layered in personality

Focuses on the different levels and aspects that form an individual's persona.

FAQs

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

You can use "complex in character" to describe a person, organization, or even a concept that is multifaceted and not straightforward. For example, "The protagonist was "complex in character", making the narrative unpredictable".

What are some alternatives to "complex in character"?

Alternatives include "intricate in nature", "multifaceted in personality", or "complicated in disposition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "complex character" or "complex in character"?

"Complex in character" specifies that complexity is an inherent quality. While "complex character" is acceptable, the former emphasizes the ingrained nature of their multifaceted traits.

What does it mean for a character to be "complex in character"?

It means the character possesses multiple layers, internal conflicts, and is not easily understood or predictable. Their motivations and actions stem from a deep and intricate set of personality traits and experiences.