complications that surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complications that surface" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues or difficulties that arise in a particular situation or context. Example: "During the project, we encountered several complications that surface unexpectedly, requiring us to adjust our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the complications that unsettle him.

The Guardian

Don't germs die on that surface?

The New York Times

Very few mechanical watches have complications that indicate the temperature.

TechCrunch

Complications that are being denied by health insurance.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, Levy is adding levels of complication that go beneath the sunny surface to get at something darker and more substantial.

The New York Times - Books

Very little of that surfaces here.

The New York Times

No small complication that.

The New York Times

However, the tower shadow adds an aerodynamic complication that can be difficult to quantify and predict.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

And my colleague Rong-Gong Lin II wrote last week about a rare, but always fatal, complication from measles that surfaces years after the infection.

Los Angeles Times

Complications from that infection can lead to blindness.

Los Angeles Times

"Aerosols provide that surface".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complications that surface" when you want to specifically emphasize that difficulties are not just present, but are actively emerging or becoming apparent. For example, "Despite careful planning, there were several unexpected "complications that surface" during the project."

Common error

Avoid using "complications that surface" in situations where simpler terms like "problems" or "difficulties" would suffice. Using the phrase in overly simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complications that surface" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun and describing the type of complications being discussed. The phrase emphasizes the emergence or visibility of the complications.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complications that surface" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe difficulties that are actively emerging or becoming apparent. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is infrequent. Related phrases include "problems that arise" and "issues that come to light". To ensure clarity and avoid wordiness, use the phrase when emphasizing the emergent nature of the complications and avoid it in overly simple contexts. Keep in mind that the phrase has no significant frequency across multiple sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems that arise

Focuses on the emergence of problems, similar to complications.

difficulties that emerge

Replaces "complications" with "difficulties" and "surface" with "emerge", maintaining a similar meaning.

issues that come to light

Highlights the revealing or uncovering of issues.

challenges that present themselves

Emphasizes the challenges that become apparent.

obstacles that materialize

Focuses on the materialization of obstacles.

snags that develop

Uses a more informal term, "snags", for complications.

hitches that arise

Similar to "snags", "hitches" offers a slightly less formal alternative.

setbacks that appear

Highlights the appearance of setbacks.

crises that unfold

Emphasizes the unfolding nature of crises, suggesting a more dramatic emergence.

predicaments that unfold

Highlights the unfolding nature of predicaments, suggesting more complex or difficult situations.

FAQs

How can I use "complications that surface" in a sentence?

You can use "complications that surface" to describe difficulties that emerge during a process or situation. For example, "Despite our best efforts, unforeseen "problems that arise" created delays".

What are some alternatives to "complications that surface"?

Alternatives include "difficulties that emerge", "issues that come to light", or "challenges that present themselves". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "complications that surface" formal or informal?

The phrase "complications that surface" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional or academic writing but might sound somewhat stilted in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "complications that surface" and "underlying complications"?

"Complications that surface" refers to problems that are becoming apparent or emerging, while "underlying complications" refers to pre-existing or hidden issues that may be contributing to a situation. One describes newly apparent problems, the other describes existing but perhaps not immediately visible problems.