complicated by problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicated by problems" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation that is made more difficult due to various issues. For example: "The project was complicated by problems with funding." Alternative expressions include "hindered by issues" and "made difficult by challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Further structural characterization of GPCRs has largely been complicated by problems with expression, purification, and preservation of activity in vitro.

Journal of Structural Biology

Transplantation offers another option that is widely used but complicated by problems related to rejection and donor organ scarcity.

Translational Research

The numbers are politically fraught, and researchers' work has been further complicated by problems in collecting data while working in a war zone.

The New York Times

The past few months have been further complicated by problems at home, including a tight budget and Republican disagreement over how to pay for major transportation projects and a new professional basketball stadium.

The Washington Post

(Interestingly, there's also some evidence that the divorce rate stopped falling over the last decade, though this is complicated by problems with the data sources that I'm not competent to adjudicate).

The New York Times

The water supplies in this region are stressed as a result of a high and unconstrained demand, complicated by problems with water quality associated with the development of industry and mining, together with pollution from agriculture and urbanization.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

For Rezaian, the ordeal has been complicated by health problems.

The Washington Post

The measurement of time spent executing a module is complicated by two problems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He is 80 years old, lives on his own in Harehills, Leeds, and has diabetes complicated by mobility problems.

The Guardian

The process was complicated by territorial problems -- the state owned the stretch from the Battery to 35th Street and the city owned the area north to 59th Street.

The New York Times

The recall was complicated by further problems with the replacement Note 7. Samsung has now completely cancelled production of the device.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicated by problems", ensure that the specific problems are either explicitly stated or clearly implied within the context. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated by problems" without specifying what those problems are. For instance, instead of saying "the project was complicated by problems", specify "the project was complicated by funding and resource allocation problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated by problems" functions as a post-modifier, adding detail to a preceding noun or clause. It indicates the cause of the complication. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable construction, prevalent in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicated by problems" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a situation has been made more complex due to specific issues. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and usage across various domains. While versatile, it is best practice to specify what the problems are to provide clarity. Alternative phrases such as "hindered by difficulties" or "exacerbated by issues" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindered by difficulties

Replaces "complicated" with "hindered" and "problems" with "difficulties", emphasizing the obstructive nature of the issues.

exacerbated by issues

Substitutes "complicated" with "exacerbated", highlighting the worsening effect of the problems.

made more complex due to problems

Rephrases to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship, using "made more complex" instead of "complicated".

burdened by challenges

Emphasizes the weight or load added by the challenges, replacing "complicated" with "burdened".

muddied by troubles

Uses "muddied" to suggest a clouding or obscuring effect caused by the troubles.

entangled with difficulties

Implies a more intertwined or difficult-to-separate relationship between the subject and the difficulties.

beset by issues

Indicates that the subject is persistently affected or troubled by the issues.

aggravated by concerns

Similar to 'exacerbated', but using 'concerns' to potentially soften the negative connotation.

hampered by setbacks

Focuses on the hindering effect of the setbacks, making it more about progress being slowed.

encumbered by obstacles

Highlights the restrictive nature of the obstacles, making movement or progress difficult.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "complicated by problems" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "hindered by difficulties" or "exacerbated by issues" which provide a more sophisticated tone.

What are some common synonyms for "complicated by problems"?

Synonyms include "made more complex due to problems", "burdened by challenges", and "muddied by troubles", each conveying a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "complicated by problems"?

Yes, "complicated by problems" is grammatically correct. It's a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating that something is made more complex due to existing issues.

How does "complicated by problems" differ from "hampered by setbacks"?

"Complicated by problems" generally refers to an increase in complexity, while "hampered by setbacks" emphasizes a hindering effect on progress. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight complexity or obstruction.