complex roles

USAGE SUMMARY

"complex roles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to particular roles with many facets and responsibilities. For example, "I enjoy taking on complex roles within my organization, as they provide me the opportunity to develop new skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These are meaty, complex roles.

The Economist

"The honest, complex roles tend to be serious".

The New York Times

Shakespeare is brilliant at writing complex roles for women.

The Guardian

Moore is part of an elite group of female actors over 40 who continue to court complex roles in Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

But they also shine from within, investing a wide range of complex roles with sincere, unflagging feeling.

The New Yorker

The last 10 years should have been a decade-long festival of Bana winning Oscars for thrilling, complex roles".

The Guardian - Film

He's a gifted actor and I really think he should be playing complex roles like this.

The New York Times

In recent years, Winger says she's started to notice a few more complex roles for actresses in her age cohort.

The New York Times - Magazine

His seemingly innocent face hardly proved an obstacle to Mr. Spader's growing desire, in the late '80s, to land more emotionally complex roles.

The New York Times

It was a conscious decision: in my early career I waited for more complex roles to come, knowing that they might not ever come.

The New York Times - Style

The last 10 years should have been a decade-long festival of Bana winning Oscars for thrilling, complex roles: gangsters, cops, bad guys, good guys, in-between guys.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When casting actors or describing literary characters, using "complex roles" indicates that the actor or character is able to play more roles.

Common error

Avoid using "complex roles" as a generic descriptor. Instead, specify what makes the roles complex (e.g., "complex technical roles," "complex leadership roles") to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex roles" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "complex" modifies the noun "roles." It is used to describe positions or characters that are not simple or straightforward. As indicated by Ludwig, it refers to particular roles with many facets and responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex roles" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe multifaceted responsibilities or characters. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it conveys a sense of intricacy and high skill requirements. To use it effectively, specify the nature of the complexity rather than overusing it as a generic descriptor. Alternatives like "intricate responsibilities" or "demanding positions" can be considered depending on the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently use "complex roles" in your writing to effectively communicate depth and breadth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intricate responsibilities

Focuses on the complicated nature of responsibilities rather than roles.

demanding positions

Emphasizes the high level of effort and skill required in these roles.

multifaceted duties

Stresses the many different aspects and tasks involved.

layered responsibilities

Highlights the depth and interconnectedness of the responsibilities.

challenging assignments

Highlights the difficulty and stimulation involved in the tasks.

complicated functions

Replaces "roles" with a more technical term, implying a specific purpose.

sophisticated tasks

Suggests roles that require a high degree of skill and understanding.

multifaceted characters

Shifts the focus to the intricate personalities in a narrative or performance context.

multi-dimensional characters

Focuses on the depth of personality, motivations and the different aspects of the character.

nuanced portrayals

Emphasizes the subtle and detailed nature of the roles.

FAQs

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

You can use "complex roles" to describe positions or characters that involve multiple responsibilities and intricate tasks. For example, "She excels in "complex roles" that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "complex roles"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "intricate responsibilities", "demanding positions", or "challenging assignments".

Is it better to say "complicated roles" or "complex roles"?

While both "complicated" and "complex" suggest intricacy, "complex roles" often implies a greater depth and multifaceted nature, whereas "complicated" might suggest something unnecessarily difficult or tangled. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what fields is the phrase "complex roles" commonly used?

The phrase "complex roles" is commonly used in fields like organizational management, human resources, film, and theater to describe positions, responsibilities, and characters with a high degree of intricacy and multifaceted requirements.