convoluted language

USAGE SUMMARY

"convoluted language" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe language that has been made overly complicated or is difficult to understand due to its complexity. Example: The professor's convoluted language made his lecture nearly impossible to follow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Virtually every effort to weaken the bill involves watering down or undoing those reforms, either explicitly or by adding fiendishly convoluted language that obscures the reforms' purpose.

The New York Times

In a third role, Ms. Ben-Tor is a laughably humorless American Conceptual artist describing her "practice" — for which she regularly receives grant money — in the kind of fatuously arid and convoluted language favored by scholarly journals and symposium participants.

The New York Times - Arts

In the best of four videos here, she plays a laughably humorless conceptual artist describing her "practice" in the kind of fatuously arid and convoluted language favored by scholarly journals and symposium participants.

The New York Times - Arts

Specifically, Conway's attempt to disguise a lie through convoluted language recalls 1984's practice of "doublethink," in which a political regime attempts suppress thought and rewrite history by convincing citizens that, as Orwell put it: "War is peace.

Huffington Post

It's written in convoluted language.

The New York Times

So goodbye to the kind of convoluted language people had been expected to cope with.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Unlike Osama bin Laden, whose convoluted Arabic-language Web messages struck many Western Muslims as foreign and strange, Mr. Awlaki's unaccented English, sprinkled with colloquial Americanisms, often hit its mark.

The New York Times

When she made a public plea for greater environmental protection at this year's parliamentary consultative committee, she was accused of hypocrisy, because she wore animal fur, and childishness, because she used ordinary language rather than convoluted bureaucratic terminology.

The Guardian - Film

Roth's emotional outbursts, convoluted pseudo-legal language and post-colonial bias are major contributors to the double standards and records of false allegations that have eroded the universality of human rights and turned these principles into weapons.

Forbes

As usual, the central banker spoke in the convoluted, circumspect language he has perfected over the years.

Forbes

Security Council diplomats and experts noted that the language, though convoluted, was probably the best achievable result, given that Beijing had initially wanted the sinking referred to as an incident or an act, not an attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "convoluted language" with more straightforward terms like "complex wording" or "confusing phrasing" to enhance comprehension.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly long and intricate sentences when trying to explain a concept. Break down complex ideas into smaller, more digestible parts to prevent your language from becoming "convoluted language".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convoluted language" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular quality of language. It acts as an adjective-noun combination where "convoluted" modifies "language", indicating its complex and often difficult-to-understand nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammar.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "convoluted language" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that describes language characterized by unnecessary complexity and difficulty in understanding. Ludwig's AI validates its usability, and its presence across numerous reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates widespread acceptance. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When aiming for clarity, consider alternatives such as "complex terminology" or "complicated phrasing" to avoid obscuring your message. Always strive for straightforward communication to prevent your language from being perceived as "convoluted language".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex terminology

Focuses specifically on the complexity of the terms used, rather than the overall structure of the language.

complicated phrasing

Emphasizes the complexity in the way words are arranged and used in a sentence or expression.

unintelligible jargon

Highlights language that is difficult to understand, often due to specialized or technical terms.

obscure wording

Suggests that the language is vague and not easily understood, often intentionally.

Byzantine prose

Draws a comparison to the intricate and complex nature of Byzantine bureaucracy and writing.

tangled expression

Conveys the image of language that is twisted and difficult to follow.

abstruse language

Indicates language that is profound and difficult to grasp, requiring deep thought.

involved syntax

Specifies that the complexity lies in the structure and arrangement of words within sentences.

circuitous verbiage

Suggests language that is indirect and uses more words than necessary, often to obscure the meaning.

tortuous rhetoric

Implies that the language is twisted and deceptive, often used in persuasive speaking or writing.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "convoluted language" in my writing?

Focus on clarity by using shorter sentences, simpler vocabulary, and a logical structure. Eliminate unnecessary jargon and define any technical terms you must use. For alternatives, consider "complex terminology" or "complicated phrasing".

What does it mean when someone describes language as "convoluted language"?

It means the language is unnecessarily complex, difficult to understand, and often indirect. It might involve long, winding sentences, obscure vocabulary, or a lack of clear structure. Simpler alternatives could be "obscure wording" or "tangled expression".

Is there a difference between "convoluted language" and "complex language"?

"Complex language" simply indicates a high level of detail or sophistication, which isn't necessarily negative. "Convoluted language", however, implies that the complexity is unnecessary and makes the language difficult to understand. Therefore, consider "abstruse language" for similar cases.

In what situations is it acceptable to use "convoluted language"?

While clarity is usually preferred, "convoluted language" might be deliberately used in legal or academic writing where precision and detail are paramount, even at the expense of immediate comprehension. However, strive for clarity whenever possible, or you could use "Byzantine prose" when intentionally writing something difficult to understand.