complex situations

USAGE SUMMARY

"complex situations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe any situation that is either difficult to understand or challenging to resolve. For example, "My daughter's teacher is facing some complex situations in her classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's living multiple complex situations.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Complex situations require more time and tests.

The New York Times

In complex situations, a lawyer is recommended.

The New York Times

"Certainty in the face of complex situations is very dangerous".

The New Yorker

The Situation (China-U.S. relations are full of complex situations).

The New Yorker

It doesn't apply in a lot of nuanced, complex situations".

The New York Times - Health

"We all seek clarity in complex situations," he said.

The New York Times

This is one of the complex situations facing people of faith today.

The Guardian - Opinion

These supposedly unskilled workers deftly navigate complex situations on a daily basis.

The Guardian

The difficulty in foreign policy is not enunciating home principles but applying them in complex situations.

The New York Times

These are such complex situations," said one of the participants in Wednesday's embassy meeting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complex situations", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the complexity, whether it's due to numerous interacting factors, ethical considerations, or technical challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "complex situations" as a vague placeholder. Always provide specific details or examples to illustrate what makes the situation complex. For example, instead of saying "The project involved complex situations", specify "The project involved complex situations, such as navigating conflicting stakeholder priorities and managing unforeseen regulatory changes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex situations" functions as a noun phrase, where "complex" modifies the noun "situations". It typically serves as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition, describing the subject matter being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex situations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe scenarios that are intricate or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's versatile across various contexts, from news and media to science and business. When using this phrase, ensure to provide adequate context to illustrate the nature of the complexity involved. Related phrases include "complicated scenarios" and "intricate circumstances", offering nuanced alternatives. Remember to avoid oversimplifying the explanation when discussing "complex situations" to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicated scenarios

Replaces "situations" with "scenarios", suggesting a more hypothetical or planned context.

intricate circumstances

Substitutes "complex" with "intricate" and "situations" with "circumstances", emphasizing the detailed and interconnected nature of the events.

challenging circumstances

Focuses on the difficulty posed by the situations, replacing "complex" with "challenging".

difficult predicaments

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the situations, using "predicaments" to suggest a more urgent or troublesome scenario.

sensitive matters

Highlights the delicate nature of the situations, implying that they require careful handling.

convoluted events

Replaces "situations" with "events" and uses "convoluted" to emphasize the confusing and intertwined nature of the occurrences.

sophisticated affairs

Suggests a level of refinement or advanced nature of the situations, which might imply a need for specialized knowledge or skill.

problematic instances

Focuses on the troublesome nature of the situations, highlighting that they present issues or difficulties.

delicate situations

Emphasizes the sensitivity and potential fragility of the situations, which might require careful management.

knotty problems

Uses a more metaphorical approach to convey the idea of difficult or tangled situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "complex situations" to describe scenarios that are difficult to understand or resolve. For example, "The negotiator was skilled at resolving "complex situations" involving multiple parties".

What are some alternatives to "complex situations"?

Alternatives include "complicated scenarios", "intricate circumstances", or "challenging circumstances", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Both "complex situations" and "complicated situations" are correct. "Complex" often implies a system with many interacting parts, while "complicated" suggests something difficult to understand or use.

In what contexts is the phrase "complex situations" most appropriate?

The phrase "complex situations" is appropriate in contexts where problems or circumstances involve multiple interacting factors, requiring careful analysis and nuanced solutions. Examples include international relations, business negotiations, and scientific research.