convoluted syntax

USAGE SUMMARY

"convoluted syntax" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a sentence or phrase with an overly complex structure and difficult syntactic features. For example, you could say "The professor's lengthy lecture was compounded by the convoluted syntax of his sentences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

She uses words as objects in themselves, making strange music of disordered or convoluted syntax.

The New York Times

No muscle is removed — unlike, say, A. L. Rowse's modernization of Shakespeare, no attempt is made to simplify or improve the author's vocabulary and knotty, convoluted syntax.

The New Yorker

Still, despite the convoluted syntax, her text retains its poetry.

The New York Times - Style

Why Browne decided to compress the whole of human learning on the subject of formal and ancient gardens into 60 pages of dense convoluted syntax, I do not know.

The Guardian - Books

He sees himself formulating his dreams; his discovery of hashish as a method of inducing visions is hailed; his ensuing nightmare anguish is relived in swirling images and convoluted syntax; and his love affair with Verlaine is recalled in cryptic images and symbols.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Directness of utterance in a poem is almost a prerequisite for a song composer – and explains why Shakespeare, Herrick, Blake, Burns, Byron, Housman and De la Mare have been set so often; and why composers have tended to be put off by Donne's metaphysical conceits, Browning's convoluted syntax and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's overly rich and cloying style.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But with late-period Jay-Z the reverse is sometimes true: the ideas are clear and precise, but the syntax gets convoluted, and he settles for clumsy near-rhymes like "using it"/ abuse is".

The New Yorker

As cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf asked The Washington Post, "How much syntax is lost, and what is syntax but the reflection of our convoluted thoughts?" A world where nothing can be written that isn't perfectly clear and simple is a world where much of the reality of human thought and experience might go unexpressed and unexamined.

Huffington Post

I often wish I could speak to him now, I feel that I missed a chance to learn a great deal more than pre-Islamic Arabic poetry and the convoluted, impenetrable rules of Arabic grammar and syntax.

Huffington Post

Remember "convoluted"?

The New York Times

It's convoluted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "convoluted syntax" when you want to critique writing that is technically correct but unnecessarily difficult to understand due to its complex sentence construction. Reserve it for instances where simplicity would improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "convoluted syntax" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's a term best suited for formal analysis or critique of written material.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convoluted syntax" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular quality of writing or speech. It is used to identify and characterize sentence structures that are excessively complex and difficult to understand.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "convoluted syntax" is a grammatically correct term used to describe excessively complex and difficult-to-understand sentence structures. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most often employed in formal contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic settings, to critique writing. While not inherently incorrect, "convoluted syntax" suggests a lack of clarity and can be a sign of ineffective communication. Alternatives like "complex sentence structure" or "intricate grammatical structure" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, strive for clarity and simplicity, avoiding unnecessary complexity that could lead to what some might call "convoluted syntax".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex sentence structure

Focuses on the complexity of the sentence's organization.

intricate grammatical structure

Highlights the detailed and elaborate nature of the grammar.

Byzantine sentence construction

Emphasizes the elaborateness and potential difficulty in understanding the sentence.

tortuous sentence structure

Implies a winding, difficult-to-follow sentence.

complex syntactic arrangement

Highlights the complexity with a more technical term.

difficult sentence construction

Focuses on the challenges a reader might face.

complicated grammatical arrangement

Emphasizes the confusion caused by the structure.

tangled sentence formation

Suggests a disordered and confusing sentence.

obscure sentence structure

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the sentence.

rambling sentence structure

Implies that the sentence is excessively long and disorganized.

FAQs

How to use "convoluted syntax" in a sentence?

You can use "convoluted syntax" to describe writing that is unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand, for example: "The professor's lecture was difficult to follow due to the author's convoluted syntax."

What does "convoluted syntax" mean?

The term "convoluted syntax" refers to a sentence structure that is excessively complicated and difficult to understand due to its complex grammatical arrangement.

What can I say instead of "convoluted syntax"?

You can use alternatives like "complex sentence structure", "intricate grammatical structure", or "difficult sentence construction" depending on the context.

Is "convoluted syntax" a negative term?

Yes, "convoluted syntax" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the writing is unnecessarily complex and lacks clarity. However, sometimes complex ideas require complex sentence construction. The key is striking a balance between complexity and clarity.