complicated to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

"complicated to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is difficult to articulate or understand. For example: "The physics theory was complicated to explain, even for experts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's complicated to explain.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's more complicated to explain.

The Guardian - Arts

It's all much too complicated to explain.

The New York Times - Books

Many things are too complicated to explain.

The New Yorker

It's a bit complicated to explain how this works.

Princeton University

It's too complicated to explain.' He's got 90 minutes tonight.

The Guardian

Now everything had become much too complicated to explain.

The New Yorker

I have a cast iron excuse, too, but it's too complicated to explain.

The Guardian - Sport

Working out what the figure might be would be a bit complicated to explain.

The Guardian - Money

The orchestra "Variations" were simply too complicated to explain themselves well in these conditions.

The New York Times - Arts

The economic crisis is too complicated to explain to most readers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicated to explain", consider briefly acknowledging the complexity and offer a simplified overview or example to provide some context without getting bogged down in details.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated to explain" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "difficult to articulate" or "not easily explained" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated to explain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject, indicating that a particular subject or concept is difficult to articulate or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complicated to explain" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to preface or acknowledge the difficulty in articulating a complex topic. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is valid across a broad range of contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. While it signals complexity, its function is to prepare the audience for a potentially simplified explanation or to justify the omission of intricate details. Alternatives such as "difficult to articulate" or "not easily explained" can be used for variety. When using "complicated to explain", be mindful of over-reliance and aim to provide a brief, accessible overview to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easily explained

Highlights the inherent difficulty in providing a straightforward explanation.

difficult to articulate

Focuses on the speaker's struggle to express something clearly.

not straightforward to explain

Highlights the lack of simplicity in the explanation.

hard to put into words

Emphasizes the challenge of finding the right vocabulary.

beyond simple explanation

Indicates that the matter is too complex for a basic explanation.

difficult to comprehend

Shifts the focus to the listener's challenge in understanding.

challenging to elucidate

A more formal way of saying difficult to explain.

a complex matter to clarify

Focuses on the complicated nature of the topic at hand.

tough to break down

Implies the need to simplify a complex topic.

intricate to clarify

Highlights the detailed and interwoven nature of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "complicated to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "complicated to explain" to indicate that a concept, situation, or process is difficult to articulate or understand due to its complexity. For example: "The economic theory is "complicated to explain" without a background in finance."

What are some alternatives to saying "complicated to explain"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "difficult to articulate", "hard to put into words", or "not easily explained" as alternatives to "complicated to explain".

Is it grammatically correct to say "complicated to explain"?

Yes, the phrase "complicated to explain" is grammatically sound and commonly used in English. It follows the standard structure of an adjective followed by an infinitive.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "complicated to explain"?

It's appropriate to use "complicated to explain" when you want to acknowledge that something is complex and not easily simplified without losing essential details. It's often used as a preface to a simplified explanation or when choosing not to delve into intricate specifics.