complicating issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicating issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a problem or situation that adds complexity to a topic or decision-making process. Example: "The new regulations are a complicating issue that we need to address before moving forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The lack of a contract had been a complicating issue in the orchestra's resort to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April.

The New York Times

One complicating issue is that among patients who have recurrent Lyme symptoms, at least two distinct groups seem to have emerged.

The New York Times - Health

Another complicating issue is that the viral vector is not specific, so it delivers the gene to all retinal cells.

Science Magazine

A complicating issue is that it is also common for individuals to have different publications that share identical or very similar titles.

Plosone

Another complicating issue is that both iHS and LRH belong to the same class of analytical methods for detecting selection, and it is not surprising that they indicate similar results.

Plosone

This complicating issue should be explicitly addressed in the manuscript.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Complicating issues in assigning cause in wastewater bioreactors are identified.

Water Research

In this regard, all this complicating issues should be handled before presenting the association strategy.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Further complicating issues in treatment of candidemia is the emergence of drug resistant isolates.

Plosone

That will be a complicated issue.

Independent

That is a really complicated issue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicating issue", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being complicated. Provide specific details to clarify the nature and impact of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "complicating issue" as a generic placeholder. Instead, clearly define the specific challenge or factor that makes the situation complex. The phrase loses its impact if not coupled with concrete details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicating issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific problem, factor, or element that introduces complexity or difficulty into a given situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicating issue" is a noun phrase used to describe a specific factor that introduces complexity or difficulty into a situation. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, its precision lends itself more readily to professional or academic discourse. To avoid vagueness, it's best used with specific details about the nature and impact of the issue. Alternative phrases include "complex issue" and "challenging aspect", though they each carry subtly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex issue

Replaces "complicating" with "complex", focusing on the inherent complexity rather than the act of complicating.

complicated matter

Substitutes "issue" with "matter", altering the tone while retaining the meaning of a difficult subject.

complex situation

Replaces "issue" with "situation", highlighting the broader context rather than a specific point.

challenging aspect

Uses "challenging" instead of "complicating", focusing on the difficulty the issue presents.

problematic element

Replaces the neutral "issue" with "element", emphasizing the problematic nature of the contributing factor.

hindering factor

Shifts the focus to the hindering effect of the issue, rather than its complicating nature.

obstacle to overcome

Frames the issue as an obstacle, emphasizing the need to resolve it.

difficulty to resolve

Highlights the difficulty in finding a solution for the issue.

knotty problem

Uses a metaphor ("knotty") to describe the complex nature of the issue.

vexing question

Replaces "issue" with "question", and adds emotional charge ("vexing").

FAQs

How can I use "complicating issue" in a sentence?

You can use "complicating issue" to describe a factor that adds complexity to a situation. For example, "The lack of funding is a "complicating issue" in the project's completion."

What phrases are similar to "complicating issue"?

Similar phrases include "complex issue", "complicated matter", and "challenging aspect".

Is "complicating issue" formal or informal?

"Complicating issue" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is often found in professional and academic writing.

What makes "complicating issue" different from "complex issue"?

"Complicating issue" implies that something is actively making a situation more complex, while "complex issue" simply describes something that is inherently intricate. The first has the sense of something adding to the complexity that already exists.