get complicated with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'get complicated with' is not grammatically correct. It should be 'get complicated.' You can use this phrase when referring to a situation that is becoming more difficult or complex. For example: "Once the deadline for the project approached, the details began to get complicated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It can get complicated, with Denver, Baltimore and Tennessee involved in various scenarios.

The New York Times - Sports

He had a sense that the wristband could be marketable, but soon realized, after trying various cameras, that it would get complicated, with regard to licensing and legal permission.

The New Yorker

After eight years of a relatively scandal-free administration, voters listening to Mr. Comey describe the intricacies of the F.B.I.'s email investigation received a bracing reminder that things tend to get complicated with the Clintons.

The New York Times

Things get complicated with Facebook.

BBC

"I was expecting things to get complicated, with lots of empirical relationships thrown together," he writes in an e-mail to Science.

Science Magazine

Traveling can get complicated with all the packing, keeping your phone or tablet charged, going through airports, flying, hotels and more.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It got complicated with 'Newjack,' "he says.

The New York Times - Books

And now it gets complicated with our Jewish brothers and sisters because you've got vicious anti-Jewish contempt shot through the Breitbart-like ideological orientation.

Princeton University

Although the math gets complicated, with the addition of the new bases X (chemical name d5SICS) and Y (chemical name dNaM), Romesberg approximately tripled the number of possible codons, and theoretically increased to 172 the number of different amino acids a cell could build a protein from (see this explanatory graphic).

MIT Technology Review

Suddenly things have really gotten complicated with e-mails from another general to another woman.

Huffington Post

After "things got complicated" with Aaron and his girlfriend, Hunt moved to Spain.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex scenarios, focus on clarity and break down the elements contributing to the complexity. For instance, instead of saying "the process got complicated with many rules", specify the relevant rules.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily adding "with" after "get complicated" as it often leads to grammatically incorrect sentences. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is incorrect and provides examples of proper usages. It's better to say "things get complicated" and then explain the complicating factors separately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get complicated with" attempts to describe a process or situation becoming more complex. However, it's often grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that the standard and more acceptable form is "get complicated".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get complicated with" is used to describe situations that are becoming more complex, yet, as Ludwig AI points out, it is often grammatically incorrect. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific articles, it's generally better to use the simpler, correct phrase "get complicated". When describing intricacies, aim for clarity and avoid unnecessary prepositions. Consider alternatives like "become intricate" or "grow complex" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop complications

Emphasizes the emergence of complicating factors.

grow complex

Uses a different verb to describe the increase in complexity.

take a complicated turn

Similar in meaning, but places 'complicated' as an adjective modifying 'turn'.

become intricate

Replaces "get complicated" with a more formal term for complexity.

take a turn for the complex

Implies a change towards a more complicated situation.

become entangled

Suggests a messy and interwoven complication.

get difficult

Focuses on the increasing difficulty rather than complexity.

get muddled

Implies a confusing and unclear complication.

become problematic

Highlights the issues that arise from the complication.

spiral out of control

Highlights the escalating nature of the complications.

FAQs

Is "get complicated with" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "get complicated with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's usually better to use "get complicated" without the "with", or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What does it mean when something "gets complicated"?

When something "gets complicated", it means it is becoming more difficult to understand, manage, or deal with due to added factors or elements.

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

You can use "get complicated" in a sentence like: "The situation started to get complicated when more people became involved" or "The instructions get complicated after step three".

What are some alternatives to saying "get complicated"?

Instead of "get complicated", you could say "become intricate", "grow complex", or "take a complicated turn" depending on the context.