complicated by this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicated by this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or issue that has become more difficult due to a specific factor or circumstance. Example: "The project timeline was already tight, and it was further complicated by this unexpected delay in funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Plotting a route out of that has been complicated by this Cup run, during which Luton have taken only one point from nine.

Independent

Related: Women's World Cup 2015 - interactive wallchart Matters are further complicated by this international showpiece being, contentiously, staged on artificial surfaces.

The Guardian - Sport

But in this instance, he added, forecasting is complicated by "this overlaying malaise" related to the anger and grief caused by the assaults, as well as by the inability to predict what may happen next as the United States military prepares to respond.

The New York Times

Assessing the effects of early entry to ECEC programs is further complicated by this being less common, with less data available.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

I felt insane, and the distress was further complicated by this bastardization of Joseph Heller's Catch-22: If you're self-aware enough to think you might have lost your mind, you obviously still have it.

Vice

Furthermore, the presentation of results would be complicated by this adjustment, as it would no longer represent the budgetary implications of the interventions.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The issues are made even more complicated by the fact this involves several agencies and prosecutors.

The New York Times

American efforts to get peace talks off the ground have been complicated by the resignation this month of Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian prime minister.

The New York Times

The evidence for an association with NHL is less clear, but this is likely complicated by the etiologic heterogeneity of this group of diseases.

Environmental Health Perspectives

But things are complicated by the fact that this worker cannot read or write.

The New York Times

Firefighting efforts are complicated by the fact that this is some of the wildest and most rugged country in the West.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complicated by this" to clearly indicate the specific factor or circumstance that increases the difficulty of a situation. Ensure that the "this" refers to something explicitly mentioned in the preceding context.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated by this" without a clear antecedent for "this". Ensure the reader can easily identify what "this" refers to; otherwise, rephrase for clarity to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated by this" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a previously mentioned factor is the cause of increased difficulty or complexity. Ludwig confirms that this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complicated by this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used causal connector that effectively indicates how a specific factor increases the difficulty or complexity of a situation. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the reference of "this" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "made more complex by this" or "exacerbated by this" for nuanced variations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is a neutral option that is appropriate for many registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made more complex by this

Replaces "complicated" with "more complex", emphasizing the increase in complexity.

exacerbated by this

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

aggravated by this

Similar to "exacerbated", but may imply a more irritating or frustrating complication.

hindered by this

Focuses on the obstructive aspect of the complication, suggesting progress is being blocked.

made difficult due to this

A more verbose alternative, directly stating the difficulty caused by the factor.

entangled with this

Implies a situation that's become intertwined and harder to resolve because of the added element.

muddled by this

Suggests confusion and lack of clarity as a result of the complicating factor.

further obscured by this

Indicates that understanding or clarity has been diminished by the added factor.

encumbered by this

Implies a burden or weight added by the complicating factor, making progress harder.

obstructed by this

Similar to "hindered", but may suggest a more direct blockage or impediment.

FAQs

How can I use "complicated by this" in a sentence?

Use "complicated by this" to show that a specific factor makes a situation more difficult. For example, "The project was already behind schedule, and it was further complicated by this unexpected software bug."

What are some alternatives to saying "complicated by this"?

You can use alternatives such as "made more complex by this", "exacerbated by this", or "aggravated by this" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "complicated by this" or "complicated because of this"?

"Complicated by this" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Complicated because of this" is also correct but can sound slightly less refined. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What does "complicated by this" imply?

The phrase "complicated by this" implies that an issue or situation has become more intricate or difficult to manage due to a particular element or event. It suggests that the factor introduced an additional layer of complexity.