complicate the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicate the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where additional factors or complexities make understanding or resolving a problem more difficult. Example: "Introducing new regulations could complicate the issue of compliance for many businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Medical privacy and employment rules complicate the issue further.

The New York Times - Sports

Our public strategy here, as elsewhere, must be to complicate the issue.

The New York Times

Dr. Goldfarb and other critics contend that a host of new issues complicate the issue.

The New York Times

Factors like money or marital discord — there were both in the Llewellyn case — further complicate the issue.

The New York Times

"The presence of foreign forces and interference in Bahrain's internal affairs is unacceptable and will further complicate the issue," Ramin Mehmanparast, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said.

Independent

(One factor that may complicate the issue of state vs. federal prosecution is that federal law offers the possibility of the death penalty but Massachusetts law does not).

The New Yorker

To complicate the issue further, some individuals and disability organizations reject the notion of disability as the primary marker of personhood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fixing the glitch will require reconciling the needs of low-income families with other provisions in the law that complicate the issue.

The New York Times

Or for those who see sexism everywhere to refuse to discuss it in any other way, as though to do so would complicate the issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

The flanker has an ongoing ankle issue that requires a lot more rest than action – and then he tweaked a hamstring to complicate the issue.

The Guardian - Sport

"People say, 'Were you afraid to make the film within a film?' Or 'Why did you need to complicate the issue?' It's because that is the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicate the issue", ensure that you clearly identify what specific factors are contributing to the increased complexity. This will make your writing more precise and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "complicate the issue" as a generic statement. Always provide concrete examples of how and why the issue is becoming more complex to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicate the issue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that increases the complexity of a particular matter. Ludwig's examples show it's used to describe how various factors contribute to making a situation more intricate and harder to understand or resolve. As Ludwig AI shows, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complicate the issue" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe factors that add complexity to a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific writing, indicating its utility in analytical and explanatory contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific examples to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as ""muddy the waters"" or ""compound the problem"" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: highlighting elements that make understanding or resolving a situation more challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

muddy the waters

Introduces ambiguity and confusion, making the situation less clear.

obfuscate the matter

Makes the issue obscure, unclear, or unintelligible, often intentionally.

compound the problem

Adds to the existing difficulties, making the problem larger or more severe.

aggravate the situation

Worsens the existing circumstances, leading to further complications.

add layers of complexity

Introduces new elements that make the issue more intricate and harder to resolve.

introduce confounding factors

Brings in elements that confuse or obscure the relationship between variables.

muddle the subject

Creates a state of disorder or confusion in understanding the subject.

befog the question

Makes the question less clear and more difficult to perceive or understand.

make matters more intricate

Elaborates on the complexity of the situation, making it harder to deal with.

thicken the plot

Adds unexpected developments and complexities to the storyline or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "complicate the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "complicate the issue" to explain that something makes a situation harder to understand or resolve. For example, "New regulations "complicate the issue" of compliance for many businesses".

What are some alternatives to saying "complicate the issue"?

Alternatives include "muddy the waters", "compound the problem", or "aggravate the situation", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "complicate the issue" or "complexify the issue"?

"Complicate the issue" is more common and natural-sounding than "complexify the issue", which is less frequently used. Stick with ""complicate the issue"" for better clarity and acceptance.

What's the difference between "complicate the issue" and "address the issue"?

"Complicate the issue" means to make something more complex, while "address the issue" means to deal with or resolve a problem. They are opposites; one creates difficulty, the other attempts to solve it.