get complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say: "Once I started to factor in how much time my side project would take, things started to get complicated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Things can get complicated.

The New York Times

That could get complicated.

The New York Times - Tech

Then things get complicated.

The New York Times

It could get complicated.

The Washington Post

Things get complicated.

The Washington Post

It can get complicated.

The New York Times - Food

Things get complicated pretty quickly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It gets complicated, though.

Harvard University

Identity gets complicated.

The Economist

Then it gets complicated.

The New Yorker

Then things got complicated.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get complicated" to signal a shift in a situation where simplicity is lost, and multiple factors or issues begin to intertwine. This prepares the reader for a more detailed or nuanced explanation.

Common error

While "get complicated" is versatile, be mindful of overusing it, especially in formal writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "become complex" or "grow intricate" /s/grow+intricate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get complicated" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a state of increasing complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often indicates a transition from a simpler state to one involving multiple interconnected elements or difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get complicated" is a versatile and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig, to indicate a transition toward increased complexity. While grammatically sound and common in news and general communication, it's important to consider the context. For formal writing, alternatives such as "become complex" or "grow intricate" may be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so being mindful of variety in language is key. The contexts where "get complicated" appears most often are News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become complex

Replaces "get" with "become" and "complicated" with "complex", focusing on the state of being complex.

grow intricate

Emphasizes the increasing detail and complexity of a situation.

turn problematic

Focuses on the difficulties and issues that arise.

prove challenging

Highlights the demanding nature of the situation.

take a turn for the worse

Indicates a negative development or worsening of the situation.

become unwieldy

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or controlling something.

descend into chaos

Implies a complete loss of order and control.

develop snags

Indicates that unexpected problems or obstacles have arisen.

reach an impasse

Suggests that progress has halted due to complexity or disagreement.

present difficulties

Emphasizes the emergence of challenging issues.

FAQs

How can I use "get complicated" in a sentence?

You can use "get complicated" to describe situations that are becoming difficult to understand or manage. For example, "The project started smoothly, but things began to get complicated when we encountered unexpected technical issues."

What can I say instead of "get complicated"?

You can use alternatives like "become complex", "grow intricate", or "turn problematic" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "get complicated" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "get complicated" may sound informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "become unwieldy" or "present difficulties" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "get complicated" and "become complex"?

Both phrases are similar, but "get complicated" often implies a process of becoming complex over time, while "become complex" can describe a state change more generally. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the transition.