complicated the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicated the situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing how an action or event has made a situation more difficult or complex. Example: "The unexpected rainstorm complicated the situation, causing delays in the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bolivia has complicated the situation for Argentina.

The New York Times

Racial undercurrents have complicated the situation.

The New York Times

The introduction of osseointegrated implants has further complicated the situation.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

The longer we wait the more complicated the situation is going to become.

Yale University

But Lewandowski's agent, Cezary Cucharsky, has further complicated the situation for Bayern.

Independent

But there was a wild card in L'Aquila that complicated the situation.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"This complicates the situation".

The New York Times

But regulatory factors complicate the situation.

The Economist

To complicate the situation, to create occupation.

The New Yorker

"But on the ground, they are complicating the situation".

The New York Times

Any such intervention can only complicate the situation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicated the situation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors led to the increased complexity. Be specific about the cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated the situation" as a vague statement. Always specify how the situation became more complex and what elements contributed to it. Without this context, the phrase loses its impact and leaves the reader wondering about the specifics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated the situation" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something has made a particular set of circumstances more complex or difficult to manage. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicated the situation" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe how an event or action has made circumstances more complex or difficult. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and academic papers. To use this phrase effectively, ensure you provide specific context about how the situation became more complex. Alternatives like "worsened the circumstances" or "exacerbated the problem" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. By providing clear context and avoiding overuse, you can use "complicated the situation" to effectively communicate the increased complexity of a given scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further complicated matters

Emphasizes the incremental increase in complexity.

made matters worse

A more general way of saying that things have deteriorated.

worsened the circumstances

Focuses on making the circumstances worse rather than just more complex.

intensified the difficulties

Focuses on making existing difficulties more intense.

exacerbated the problem

Highlights the aggravation of an existing problem.

added another layer of complexity

Highlights the layering effect of increased complexity.

muddied the waters

Implies a lack of clarity and increased confusion.

threw a wrench in the works

Suggests a sudden disruption that hinders progress.

introduced new challenges

Focuses on the introduction of difficulties.

created further obstacles

Emphasizes the creation of hindrances.

FAQs

How can I use "complicated the situation" in a sentence?

You can use "complicated the situation" to describe how an action or event made a situation more difficult or complex. For example: "The unexpected economic downturn "complicated the situation", leading to budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "complicated the situation"?

Alternatives include "worsened the circumstances", "exacerbated the problem", or "made matters worse", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "complicated the situation"?

Yes, "complicated the situation" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something has made a situation more complex or difficult.

What's the difference between "complicated the situation" and "simplified the situation"?

"Complicated the situation" implies that something has made a situation more complex and difficult to resolve, while "simplified the situation" implies that something has made a situation easier to understand or manage.