complications develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complications develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical or technical contexts to describe the emergence of issues or difficulties that arise during a process or condition. Example: "As the treatment progressed, complications develop that required immediate attention from the medical team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In our front-line tent ICU, energetic anti-shock measures were taken for 18 patients who had traumatic shock to avoid the development of crush syndrome, because many severe fatal complications develop due to long periods of shock.

Critical Care

Meckel diverticulum must be treated surgically if complications develop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Healthy people tend not to die from flu, although they can if complications develop, such as pneumonia or blood poisoning.

The Guardian

Complications develop in some patients, which are refractory to dietary supplementation.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

For most people, it's a painful but temporary problem; when complications develop, it can be much more troublesome.

Harvard University

If the therapy proves itself over time, its use could expand to aid patients before serious complications develop.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Complications developed.

The New Yorker

No complications developed during the 6-year follow-up.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

But when complications developed during it, Amit wound up undergoing six and a half hours of surgery that ended with a triple bypass.

The New York Times - Health

Diabetes UK points out that the disease is more aggressive in young people than in adults, leading to a higher risk of complications developing earlier.

The Guardian

An ambulance supervisor protested, explaining that if Ms. Nabors's water broke or complications developed, the supervisor would not have proper access to help her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, using "complications develop" can effectively signal a shift towards discussing potential drawbacks or negative outcomes of a process or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "complications develop" in everyday situations where simpler phrases like "problems arise" or "issues occur" would suffice. This phrase is more appropriate for complex or serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complications develop" functions as a statement indicating the emergence of difficulties or problems. As Ludwig AI explains, it is often used in medical or technical contexts to describe issues that arise during a process or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complications develop" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies the emergence of difficulties or problems. As Ludwig AI states, it is commonly used in medical and technical contexts, emphasizing the onset of issues during a process or condition. With a neutral to formal register, the phrase is suitable for professional, academic, and news-related communications. While "complications develop" is often a sign of serious scenarios, using less complicated synonyms, as "issues arise" or "problems occur" might sound more natural in simple scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues arise

Focuses on the emergence of problems or matters needing attention.

problems occur

Emphasizes the happening of difficulties or obstacles.

difficulties emerge

Highlights the surfacing of challenging situations.

challenges arise

Indicates the appearance of tests or demanding tasks.

problems unfold

Suggests a gradual revelation of issues.

difficulties surface

Emphasizes the uncovering of hidden problems.

crises erupt

Highlights the sudden and intense outbreak of critical issues.

snags arise

Implies the appearance of minor hitches or obstacles.

setbacks occur

Focuses on the happening of reversals or delays.

glitches emerge

Indicates the surfacing of minor malfunctions or errors.

FAQs

What does "complications develop" mean?

The phrase "complications develop" indicates that problematic situations or unforeseen issues are arising or unfolding, often in the context of a process, condition, or event.

How can I use "complications develop" in a sentence?

You can use "complications develop" to describe the emergence of difficulties, such as "As the surgery progressed, "complications developed", requiring additional procedures."

Which is a more formal way to say "complications develop"?

While "complications develop" is already quite formal, you could use phrases like "difficulties emerge" or "issues arise" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "complications develop" and "problems occur"?

"Complications develop" typically implies a more complex or serious set of issues arising, often in medical or technical contexts, whereas "problems occur" is a more general term for any type of difficulty that arises.