complex to categorize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex to categorize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to classify or organize into specific categories. Example: "The data collected from the survey is complex to categorize due to the diverse range of responses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Parsing vs. understanding "Some topics, like human rights, are much more complex to categorize," Andy said, "We have to do a lot more sophisticated kind of number or text crunching to be able to definitively say a petition is a human rights petition".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A common approach for better understanding complex entities is to categorize them into a limited number of types.

Landscape and Urban Planning

The more Amin investigates, the more he talks to people and immerses himself again in the world of his childhood ("It must be strange to live among them," a cab driver says of Amin's Tel Aviv life), the more complex and hard to categorize his reality becomes.

Los Angeles Times

In conclusion, human beings are able to categorize complex natural images at a glance over a large extent of the visual field without eye movement.

Plosone

While the SE category represents the largest group of splicing events, there were several key splicing events identified in the MXE category as well as complex splicing patterns harder to categorize in a single group.

eLife

The Barna Group is unique among mainstream pollsters for using a complex set of theological measures to categorize respondents rather than letting people loosely label themselves as "evangelical" or "Christian" or "born-again".

Huffington Post

But one of the pleasures of reading "Hallucinations" is understanding how complex human reality often trumps attempts to categorize it.

The New York Times - Books

However, the remaining significant genes (2420) presented complex variation patterns that were difficult to categorize.

Plosone

Human nature makes it hard to categorize something novel and complex.

The New York Times - Magazine

The theory of planned behaviour helps to categorize and visualise the reasoning behind complex decision-making processes (see Figure 3).

Energy, Sustainability and Society

"I'm trying to embrace the complex and embrace the fact that even if it's difficult to categorize yourself, it's OK, because hopefully people love you for who you are, even if they can't totally understand you".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or multifaceted subjects, use "complex to categorize" to accurately convey the inherent difficulty in classification. For instance, "The artist's work is complex to categorize, blending elements of surrealism and abstract expressionism."

Common error

Avoid using "complex to categorize" as a way to dismiss deeper analysis. Instead, acknowledge the complexity while still attempting to identify key characteristics or trends. Don't let the complexity deter you from providing some clarifying insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex to categorize" primarily functions as a descriptor, indicating a subject's inherent difficulty in being classified or sorted into a specific category. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, highlighting its descriptive role. It’s an adjective phrase combined with an infinitive, modifying an implied or explicit noun.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex to categorize" is a phrase used to describe entities that are difficult to classify due to their multifaceted nature. While grammatically correct and usable, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is a relatively rare phrase. The phrase is used in news and media as well as scientific contexts and identifies something that is hard to categorise, requiring a nuanced approach. Alternative phrases include "difficult to classify" and "hard to categorize". When using this phrase, it's important to acknowledge the complexity without oversimplifying the subject. Avoid the temptation to dismiss the subject entirely, but instead offer any clarifying insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to classify

Replaces "complex" with "difficult", maintaining the same core meaning of something being hard to categorize.

hard to categorize

Similar to "difficult to classify", but uses "hard" which can imply a greater degree of challenge.

challenging to categorize

Replaces "complex" with "challenging", suggesting the categorization presents a significant task.

intricate to classify

Uses "intricate" to emphasize the detailed and complicated nature making categorization difficult.

complicated to classify

Emphasizes the convoluted nature of the subject, making classification a challenge.

not easily categorized

Highlights that categorization is not straightforward or simple.

defies easy categorization

Suggests that the subject resists being placed into simple categories.

presents categorization challenges

Focuses on the difficulties encountered during the categorization process.

resistant to categorization

Indicates that the subject actively resists being categorized due to its unique properties.

elusive to categorize

Implies that the subject is hard to grasp or define for the purpose of categorization.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "complex to categorize"?

Use "complex to categorize" when describing something that resists easy or straightforward classification due to its intricate nature or multifaceted characteristics. It's suitable when simpler labels don't adequately capture the subject's essence.

What are some alternatives to saying "complex to categorize"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to classify", "hard to categorize", or "challenging to categorize" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "complex to categorize" differ from "difficult to understand"?

"Complex to categorize" refers specifically to the challenge of placing something into a distinct group or category. "Difficult to understand" refers to the challenge of grasping the meaning or nature of something. A concept can be easy to understand but complex to categorize, and vice versa.

Is "complex to categorize" always a negative attribute?

Not necessarily. While it can indicate a challenge or limitation in our ability to classify, it can also highlight the uniqueness and richness of the subject. Something that is "complex to categorize" might be innovative or transcend traditional boundaries.