far from straightforward

USAGE SUMMARY

"far from straightforward" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is complex, difficult, or not easily understood. Example: "The process of completing the tax forms was far from straightforward, requiring multiple calculations and extensive documentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is far from straightforward.

The New York Times

Yet assessing teachers is far from straightforward.

The Economist

Group D is far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Sport

But, in reality, it's far from straightforward.

The Guardian

But the position was far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Sport

Some price lists are far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Money

The stumpings were far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Sport

Fittingly, UMO's backstory is far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Music

The rest was far from straightforward.

The Guardian - Music

Playing sport in Afghanistan for women is far from straightforward.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, applying DFT to electrochemical interfaces is still a challenging and far-from-straightforward process.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from straightforward" when you want to emphasize that a process, situation, or concept is more complex or difficult than it might initially appear. It's useful for setting expectations about the level of effort or understanding required.

Common error

Avoid using "far from straightforward" when describing something that is only mildly inconvenient or slightly unclear. The phrase is best reserved for situations with genuine complexity or significant challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from straightforward" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It serves to describe something as being complex, intricate, or difficult to understand or achieve. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far from straightforward" is a versatile adjective phrase used to convey that something is more complex or difficult than it seems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's appropriate for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing, and serves to manage expectations by highlighting potential challenges. While very common, it’s best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such emphasis, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. If you need alternatives, consider phrases like "quite complex" or "anything but simple" to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything but simple

This phrase uses a double negative to emphasize the complexity, offering a slightly different tone.

quite complex

This alternative directly emphasizes the complexity of the situation, omitting the negation.

presenting several layers of complexity

This option emphasizes the multiple, interwoven aspects that make something complicated.

rather intricate

This alternative stresses the detailed and complicated nature of the matter.

highly involved

This option focuses on the entanglement and numerous aspects that make something complicated.

not a piece of cake

This is an idiomatic expression indicating that something is not easy, rather than directly addressing its complexity.

by no means elementary

This stresses that something is advanced or complex, differing in formality.

challenging

This alternative highlights the difficulty posed by the situation.

constituting a tough nut to crack

This idiomatic expression suggests that the problem is hard to solve or understand.

demanding a nuanced approach

This implies that the situation requires careful consideration and is not simple.

FAQs

How can I use "far from straightforward" in a sentence?

You can use "far from straightforward" to describe processes, situations, or concepts that are complex or difficult. For example, "Navigating the legal system was "far from straightforward"."

What are some alternatives to "far from straightforward"?

Alternatives include "quite complex", "not a piece of cake", or "rather intricate", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "far from straightforward" or "very complicated"?

"Far from straightforward" implies a level of unexpected difficulty or complexity, whereas "very complicated" simply states that something is complex. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "far from straightforward" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "far from straightforward" is appropriate for formal writing and is frequently used in academic, business, and news contexts.