complicated task

USAGE SUMMARY

'complicated task' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe any task that is more challenging than expected. For example, "John was assigned a complicated task that took him two hours to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inspecting Bangladesh's garment factories is an acutely complicated task.

The New York Times

But interpreting the agreement into a concrete set of rules is proving an immensely complicated task.

The Guardian

Because sound waves blend and interfere with each other, this is a hideously complicated task.

MIT Technology Review

He faces a complicated task.

BBC

Building a coalition is not a particularly complicated task.

Forbes

Executing any modestly complicated task involves what psychologists call a speed-accuracy tradeoff.

Forbes

Even building McKiernan's single-neuron models is a fiendishly complicated task.

BBC

Chapter 5, "Controlling mRNA: The Cell's Most Complicated Task," deals specifically with mRNA regulation in eukaryotes.

CBE Life Sciences Education

But that is a complicated task.

The New York Times

It can be a complicated task.

MIT Technology Review

That would be a very complicated task indeed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "complicated task", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the task complicated. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate the complexity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a task is "complicated" without providing context. Instead of saying "Completing the project was a complicated task", specify which aspects were challenging, such as "Completing the project was a complicated task due to the numerous stakeholders and conflicting requirements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated task" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "complicated" modifies the noun "task". This phrase typically serves to describe a specific assignment, duty, or job that presents more than usual difficulties. Ludwig shows that the phrase is very common across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicated task" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase for describing undertakings that present significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is frequent across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it's important to provide context to clarify the specific complexities involved. Related phrases include "complex undertaking" and "challenging endeavor". To avoid vagueness, specify the factors contributing to the task's complexity. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ "complicated task" to convey nuanced meaning and clarity in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex undertaking

Replaces "task" with a more formal synonym, "undertaking", while retaining the sense of complexity.

challenging endeavor

Substitutes "complicated" with "challenging" and "task" with "endeavor", highlighting the difficulty and effort involved.

intricate assignment

Uses "intricate" to emphasize the detailed and complex nature of the "assignment".

difficult mission

Replaces "task" with "mission", suggesting a specific goal with significant challenges.

demanding project

Highlights the demanding nature of the "project", implying a high level of skill and effort required.

laborious effort

Focuses on the effort involved, suggesting that the task requires a significant amount of work.

arduous undertaking

Emphasizes the difficulty and strenuous nature of the "undertaking".

involved procedure

Highlights the number of steps and complexity of the "procedure".

elaborate operation

Suggests a detailed and carefully planned set of actions.

knotty problem

Uses a metaphorical description to imply the complexity and difficulty of solving the "problem".

FAQs

How can I use "complicated task" in a sentence?

You can use "complicated task" to describe a job, project, or undertaking that requires significant effort and expertise. For example, "Negotiating the contract proved to be a "complicated task" due to the various legal clauses involved".

What are some alternatives to saying "complicated task"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "complex undertaking", "challenging endeavor", or "intricate assignment".

Is it better to say "complex task" or "complicated task"?

Both "complex task" and "complicated task" are acceptable and often interchangeable. "Complex" emphasizes the intricate nature of the task, while "complicated" highlights the difficulty in understanding or dealing with it. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a task "complicated" rather than just "difficult"?

A "complicated task" typically involves numerous interconnected parts or steps, making it difficult to understand and manage as a whole. A "difficult" task, on the other hand, may simply require a high level of skill or effort, even if it's relatively straightforward.