fairly complex

USAGE SUMMARY

"fairly complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is moderately complicated or intricate. For example, "I found the mathematics assignment fairly complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

For navigating outdoors with topographical maps and even fairly complex routefinding, Gaia can't be beat.

TechCrunch

"That becomes a fairly complex analysis".

The New York Times - Health

Australian sheep dogs and poodles can do fairly complex tasks.

The New York Times - Science

Those were fairly complex melodies written on French metres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sifting out the latched-on antibodies and then identifying them involves fairly complex chemistry.

The New York Times

How to Get Filthy Rich also pulls a few fairly complex moves.

The Guardian - Books

"It's a fairly complex device," said Bruno Cohen, CNBC's senior vice president for business news.

The New York Times

All in all, a fairly complex and complicated and, also, harrowing incident".

The Guardian

The formula that Sather's escape clause is based upon is fairly complex.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The science behind the hangover is fairly complex and somewhat unresolved.

Independent

The daily goals checklist is fairly complex and has many items.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly complex", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect is complex to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The system is fairly complex", specify "The system's data processing algorithm is fairly complex."

Common error

Avoid using "fairly complex" without specifying what exactly is complex. Vague statements can leave the reader confused. Instead, provide specific details to enhance clarity and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly complex" functions as an adverb-adjective modifier, used to qualify the degree of complexity of a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates something is moderately complicated rather than extremely so. It is commonly used to describe processes, systems, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly complex" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is moderately intricate or complicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for indicating a degree of complexity without suggesting it is overwhelming. It is versatile and appears across various source types, including News & Media and Science, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides specific details to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately intricate

Replaces "complex" with "intricate" and "fairly" with "moderately" to convey a similar degree of complexity.

somewhat complicated

Substitutes "fairly" with "somewhat" and "complex" with "complicated", offering a slightly less formal tone.

relatively sophisticated

Uses "relatively" instead of "fairly" and "sophisticated" in place of "complex", suggesting a degree of advanced design or understanding.

reasonably involved

Replaces "complex" with "involved" and "fairly" with "reasonably", implying a moderate level of detail or participation.

quite elaborate

Substitutes "fairly" with "quite" and "complex" with "elaborate", indicating a detailed and intricate nature.

noticeably intricate

Emphasizes the level of complexity by using "noticeably" instead of "fairly", paired with "intricate".

markedly convoluted

Substitutes "fairly" with "markedly" and "complex" with "convoluted", suggesting a more tangled or confusing complexity.

appreciably detailed

Replaces "complex" with "detailed" and "fairly" with "appreciably", focusing on the level of detail rather than overall complexity.

distinctly knotty

Uses "distinctly" in place of "fairly" and "knotty" instead of "complex", conveying the idea of something being tangled and difficult to resolve.

moderately labyrinthine

Substitutes "fairly" with "moderately" and "complex" with "labyrinthine", indicating a maze-like or highly intricate structure.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly complex" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly complex" to describe something that is moderately intricate or complicated. For instance, "The instructions for assembling the furniture were "fairly complex", but I managed to put it together."

What are some alternatives to "fairly complex"?

Alternatives to "fairly complex" include "moderately intricate", "somewhat complicated", or "relatively sophisticated" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fairly complex" or "very complex"?

"Fairly complex" and "very complex" indicate different degrees of complexity. "Fairly complex" suggests a moderate level of complication, while "very complex" indicates a high level of intricacy. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of complexity you wish to convey.

What does "fairly complex" mean?

"Fairly complex" means moderately complicated or intricate. It suggests something is not simple, but also not overwhelmingly difficult to understand or deal with.