growing in complexity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing in complexity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, process, or concept that is becoming more intricate or complicated over time. Example: "The project has been growing in complexity as new requirements and challenges emerge."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Computing systems are ever growing in complexity.

Procedia Computer Science

Today, with the industry growing in complexity and scope, employers are scrutinizing applicants' educational bona fides.

The New York Times

The problems are growing in complexity faster than the methods to keep up with them.

Stanford University

"This threat is significant, and it is only growing in complexity and capacity," he wrote for the U.S. Naval Institute.

The Washington Post

The website starts by presuming no prior knowledge at all, and lets you work through small exercises, slowly growing in complexity.

The Guardian - Tech

What there is, and what gives it an almost terrifying magnificence, is one fugal masterpiece after another – gradually growing in complexity until the final, unfinished quadruple fugue.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But as all software has grown in complexity  –  with interoperability between highly complex systems now the standard – the needs for developer support has grown".

TechCrunch

Modern health care has become extremely complex and it continues to grow in complexity because of economic pressures (new levels of efficiency and productivity), and as a result of the increasing capabilities of modern medicine [ 1].

BMC Medical Education

Accordingly, her job has grown in complexity and scope.

The New Yorker

As annual sales rose to three million from two million, he said, the company also grew in complexity.

The New York Times

The system grows in complexity as more elements are allowed to interact.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing in complexity" to describe processes, systems, or ideas that are becoming more detailed, intricate, and difficult to understand or manage over time. This phrase is suitable for both technical and general contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "growing in complexity" when simply referring to an increase in quantity or size. Complexity implies intricate relationships and interconnectedness, not just more of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing in complexity" functions as a descriptive modifier, often characterizing a noun or a concept that is undergoing a process of becoming more intricate or complicated. It aligns with Ludwig AI's identification of correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "growing in complexity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the increasing intricacy of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid in English and used across a variety of contexts, including science, news, and academia. Be mindful to use it when referring to genuine increases in intricacy, not just size, and consider alternatives like "becoming more intricate" for slight variations in meaning. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility and relevance in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly complicated

Uses a more direct and common term, 'complicated', to express the increase in difficulty and intricacy.

becoming more intricate

Substitutes 'growing' with 'becoming' and 'complexity' with 'intricate', focusing on the detailed and elaborate nature of the increase.

increasing in sophistication

Replaces 'complexity' with 'sophistication', implying a refinement or advancement in detail rather than just complication.

evolving in sophistication

Combines the concepts of development and refinement, suggesting a natural progression towards greater intricacy.

developing in elaborateness

Uses 'developing' instead of 'growing' and 'elaborateness' to highlight the addition of details and ornamentation.

escalating in intricacy

Replaces 'growing' with 'escalating', emphasizing a rapid or dramatic increase in detailed complexity.

magnifying in complexity

Conveys a sense of enlargement or amplification of complexity, as if viewed under a magnifying glass.

expanding in sophistication

Implies a broadening or widening of the scope of sophistication, rather than just an increase in its level.

progressing in elaborateness

Suggests a forward movement towards greater detail and artistry, emphasizing the process of becoming more elaborate.

maturing in complexity

Implies a natural development of complexity over time, similar to the way something ages and gains character.

FAQs

How can I use "growing in complexity" in a sentence?

You can use "growing in complexity" to describe a subject becoming more intricate over time. For example, "The software project is growing in complexity as we add new features".

What are some alternatives to "growing in complexity"?

Alternatives include "increasing in sophistication", "becoming more intricate", or "becoming increasingly complicated", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "increase in complexity" or "growing in complexity"?

"Increase in complexity" and "growing in complexity" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Increase in complexity" refers to a specific event, while "growing in complexity" implies a continuous process.

What does it mean when something is described as "growing in complexity"?

It means that the subject is becoming more intricate, detailed, and possibly more difficult to understand or manage. The relationships and interconnections within the subject are also likely increasing.