complicate it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicate it with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is being made more complex or difficult by adding additional elements or factors. Example: "Don't complicate it with unnecessary details; keep your explanation simple and straightforward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Duffy had already made clear that she "didn't want to take on what basically is an honour on behalf of other poets and complicate it with money".

The Guardian - Books

"I didn't want to take on what basically is an honour on behalf of other poets and complicate it with money," she explained.

The Guardian - Books

The moment we complicate it with conditions, it becomes more convoluted than a home purchase agreement.

Huffington Post

The thing that makes Mad Men a great show is that the characters are so well-developed that they take the stereotype that they seem to embody and complicate it with altogether human behavior.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No cellphone maker has tweaked, diluted or complicated it with its own redesigns.

The New York Times - Tech

On the last movie, we complicated it with too many other characters.

The Guardian - Film

We should allow the legal process to work without overshadowing and complicating it with the protracted public drama of congressional hearings.

The New York Times

It is all about mothers, all about transformation, all about people in comas, or nearly in comas – that last idea being one that licenses the excitement of marital infidelity, while complicating it with poignancy and fear of death.

The Guardian - Film

It's all about mothers, all about transformation, all about people in comas, or nearly in comas — that last idea being one which licenses the thrill of marital infidelity, while complicating it with poignancy and fear of death.

The Guardian - Film

He complicates it with lists and facsimiles; qualifies it with footnotes whose tone of earnest overelaboration brings to mind David Foster Wallace; redescribes in first person a scene that he has already described largely in third person; and breaks a meditation on the problem of representation into pieces, which he then scatters throughout the book.

The New Yorker

Even fiscally purist Estonia, which adopted a land tax in 1993, has complicated it with multiple bands, including an exemption for homeowners.Those already blessed with property may also object to the other obvious approach to the problem: faster and higher-capacity transport links allowing the benefits to be spread farther afield.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing this phrase in formal writing; simpler alternatives like "make more complex" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "complicate it with" when the added element doesn't genuinely increase complexity. Ensure the addition directly contributes to the difficulty or intricacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicate it with" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the action of making something more complex or difficult by adding something to it. It's often used to express that an addition is causing confusion or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complicate it with" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that adding something makes a situation, idea, or process more complex or difficult. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. While its register is generally neutral, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the added element genuinely increases complexity and consider simpler alternatives for formal writing. Avoid misusing the phrase by only applying it when there is a clear increase in difficulty or intricacy due to the addition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it more intricate with

Replaces "complicate" with "make intricate", emphasizing detail and complexity.

add layers of complexity to it with

Highlights the addition of multiple levels of complexity.

entangle it with

Conveys a sense of being trapped or caught up in complexity.

muddle it with

Suggests a lack of organization or clarity.

tangle it up with

Suggests a messy or confused combination.

muddy the waters with it

Implies obscuring clarity rather than just adding complexity.

overload it with

Focuses on adding too much information or detail.

obfuscate it by

Implies making something deliberately unclear or unintelligible.

befog it with

Suggests confusion and lack of clarity being introduced.

mix it up with

Implies adding elements that might not fit well together.

FAQs

How can I use "complicate it with" in a sentence?

You can use "complicate it with" to show that adding something makes a situation more complex. For example, "Don't "complicate it with" unnecessary details; keep your explanation simple".

What are some alternatives to "complicate it with"?

Alternatives include "make it more complex with", "add complexity to it", or "make it intricate with", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "complicate it with"?

Yes, "complicate it with" is grammatically correct. It's a common phrase used to indicate that adding something makes a situation or idea more complex.

When is it best to use "complicate it with" versus simpler alternatives?

"Complicate it with" is suitable when you want to emphasize that the addition directly causes complexity. Simpler alternatives like "make it more complex" might be preferable in formal or concise writing.