complex to discern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex to discern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to understand or perceive clearly. Example: "The data presented in the report was complex to discern, making it challenging to draw any meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Animal and human investigations propose that the use of adjuvant drugs as part of general anesthesia can act on the central sensitizing effects of surgical stimuli, making it more complex to discern a preemptive effect.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While the underlying causes of this error type can be complex and hard to discern, a linear function provides a sensible starting point.

Plosone

The Google company's skill is to discern complex patterns in huge quantities of data – and the NHS is a goldmine for such "deep learning".

The Guardian - Opinion

"As you look for methods to discern complex immune responses in human cells, more and more people look at what genes are turned on with infections or vaccination procedures".

Science Magazine

In the present study, to discern the complex flow structures in SPP, digital holographic PTV visualization is carried out by a refractive index-matching method using a water employed as a working fluid.

Fusion Engineering and Design

In the present study, to discern the complex flow structures in SPP, digital holographic PTV visualization is carried out by a refractive index-matching method using a sodium iodide (NaI) solution employed as a working fluid.

Fusion Engineering and Design

It is perhaps the very naturalness and ease of their movements that is at the core of what makes it difficult to discern the complex orchestration of different modes of movement (gesture, posture, facial expression, travelling) from each other in locating a particular reference point, which could serve as a location device.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

In the process, the case studies illuminate the messy, human side of medicine that makes it so difficult to discern the complex course of an outbreak and act to stop it.

Los Angeles Times

ABM's conceptual depth is derived from its ability to model emergent behaviour that may be counterintuitive or, at minimum, its ability to discern a complex behavioural whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Plosone

Clear expansion signals are difficult to discern in complex phylogenies.

Biology Letters

These techniques promise to improve our ability to discern the complex networks impacted by oncogenic changes in human cells.

Carcinogenesis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "complex to discern", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is difficult to understand. Provide enough surrounding information to guide the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "complex to discern". Directly state who is doing the discerning, for example: "It is complex for researchers to discern the pattern" becomes "Researchers find the pattern complex to discern".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex to discern" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or situation, often followed by an explanation of what makes it difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex to discern" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes something difficult to understand or perceive due to its intricate nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. The phrase appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts. Related phrases include "difficult to perceive" and "challenging to understand", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "complex to discern", ensure clarity by specifying what is difficult to discern and avoid overuse of the passive voice for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to perceive

This alternative focuses on the challenge of perceiving something, rather than understanding its complexity.

hard to distinguish

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty in differentiating between different elements.

challenging to understand

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in grasping the meaning or nature of something.

not easy to make out

This phrase uses more informal language to express the difficulty in discerning something.

obscure to recognize

This alternative highlights the lack of clarity in recognizing something.

subtle to identify

This phrase suggests that the difficulty arises from the subtlety of the thing being discerned.

elusive to grasp

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in firmly understanding or holding onto an idea.

imperceptible to detect

This phrase indicates that something is so faint or small that it is hard to notice.

indistinct to differentiate

This alternative highlights the lack of clarity when trying to tell things apart.

complicated to unravel

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty in simplifying or resolving something intricate.

FAQs

How can I use "complex to discern" in a sentence?

You can use "complex to discern" to describe something that is difficult to understand or perceive clearly. For example: "The underlying causes of the error were "complex to discern"".

What are some alternatives to "complex to discern"?

Alternatives include phrases like "difficult to perceive", "hard to distinguish", or "challenging to understand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "difficult to discern" or "complex to discern"?

Both "difficult to discern" and ""complex to discern"" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Difficult" highlights the general challenge, while "complex" emphasizes the intricate nature of what's being discerned.

What does it mean when something is "complex to discern"?

When something is described as ""complex to discern"", it means that its intricate nature makes it hard to understand, identify, or distinguish from other things.