complicated to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicated to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is difficult to comprehend or interpret. For example, "The explanation of the tax filing process was too complicated to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or that housing benefit is too fiendishly complicated to understand.

The Guardian - Money

The tech world presents itself as too complicated to understand.

The New York Times

They are also complicated to understand, which can affect take-up.

The Economist

Cricket is just about the inverse: very relaxing to watch but complicated to understand.

The New York Times - Travel

"It's just too complicated to understand," said Bill Hinver, 81, a retired machinist from Pittsburgh.

The New York Times

Some simply say the river's behavior and ecology are too complicated to understand fully.

The New York Times

Lying to investors and stealing trillions: too complicated to understand, no arrests.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's complicated to understand, and it's all very hidden," she said.

The New York Times

The carbon cycle has thus acquired another epicycle, and become even more complicated to understand than it was.

The Economist

"It's not too complicated to understand," said Albert Langhorn, who represents the tribe for the Save the Forge River campaign.

The New York Times

What is leftwing about defending a bloated bureaucracy, undemocratic directives and a system too complicated to understand?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience's background knowledge when using this phrase. If they lack expertise in the subject, provide additional context or simplify the information.

Common error

Avoid using "complicated to understand" as a way to avoid specifying who finds something complicated. Instead of saying "The instructions were complicated to understand", consider "I found the instructions complicated to understand" to add clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicated to understand" functions as an adjective phrase describing a noun or concept. It indicates that the subject is not easily comprehended due to its intricacy or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complicated to understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey difficulty in comprehending something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "complicated to understand", be mindful of your audience and provide additional context as needed. Alternatives like "difficult to grasp" or "hard to comprehend" can add nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Difficult to grasp

This alternative uses the verb "grasp" to emphasize the challenge of mentally seizing or understanding something.

Hard to comprehend

Using "comprehend" places a stronger emphasis on intellectual understanding.

Not easy to understand

This phrase provides a simple and direct way to express the same meaning, focusing on the lack of ease in understanding.

Beyond my comprehension

This alternative indicates a limit to one's understanding, implying that the subject is too complex to grasp.

Tough to figure out

This version uses the phrasal verb "figure out", suggesting a process of active problem-solving to reach understanding.

Convoluted to decipher

This uses "convoluted" and "decipher" to imply that the issue has a meaning that is hidden or not easily apparent.

Obscure to perceive

This version uses "obscure" and "perceive", which highlights that the issue is vague and requires effort to understand.

Esoteric to apprehend

This alternative indicates a need for specialized knowledge to understand something.

Inscrutable to fathom

This implies the issue is impossible to fully discover or truly understand.

Perplexing to unravel

This conveys a sense of confusion and the need to disentangle complex information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "complicated to understand" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "difficult to comprehend" or "hard to decipher" which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

Is "complicated to understand" the same as "complex to understand"?

While similar, "complicated" suggests something is difficult due to its many interconnected parts, whereas "complex" simply implies a high degree of intricacy. Both can be "difficult to understand".

How to use "complicated to understand" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe anything that presents difficulties in comprehension. For example, "The legal contract was "complicated to understand" without a lawyer's assistance."

What are some common synonyms for "complicated to understand"?

Synonyms include "hard to understand", "difficult to grasp", and "beyond my comprehension", each offering a slightly different nuance while conveying the same core idea of difficulty in understanding.