had a complication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a complication" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in medical contexts or situations where an unexpected problem arises. Example: "After the surgery, the patient had a complication that required further treatment." Alternative expressions include "experienced a complication" and "faced a complication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

None had a complication requiring hospitalization, 98percentt found the pain only mild or moderate, and more than 95percentt said they were satisfied with the procedure.

The New York Times - Health

Instead, what they proved to be really great at was rescuing people when they had a complication, preventing failures from becoming a catastrophe.

The New Yorker

Two patients had a complication resulting from the surgical procedure.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

However, after delivery I had a complication and was out for 10 weeks after the birth.

Science Magazine

She had a complication of hyperthyroidism accompanied by mild mitral regurgitation, and she had been treated with methimazole.

JA Clinical Reports

Open image in new window Fig. 4 Axial CT image of an obese patient who had a complication following vertical midline skin incision.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Delobel maintained fitness throughout her pregnancy and had a complication-free delivery, but she continued to breast-feed until December, longer than some of her sports advisers recommended.

The New York Times - Sports

Both ASS and LMWH had a complication-reducing effect in patients at very high risk for APO.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Here, at least, we have a complication.

The New Yorker

If the patient goes into the city and has a complication, it's God's will".

The New York Times

If you make someone scared and nervous, then you are more likely to have a complication.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical or technical scenarios, specify the nature of the "complication" for clarity. For example, instead of "the surgery had a complication", use "the surgery had a complication involving excessive bleeding".

Common error

Avoid using "had a complication" without providing context or details. Readers need to understand the specific issue that arose to fully grasp the situation. A vague statement can leave the reader confused or mislead, so always be specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a complication" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the occurrence of a problem or difficulty. It describes a situation where something went wrong, often unexpectedly, following an initial action or event, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had a complication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the occurrence of a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using "had a complication", it's best to be specific about the nature of the problem to ensure clarity. While alternatives exist, such as "experienced an issue" or "suffered a setback", "had a complication" provides a direct and easily understood way to communicate that a difficulty arose. Avoid vague language and always offer context to provide a clear picture for the reader. The phrase carries a neutral to slightly formal register, making it suitable for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced an issue

Replaces "complication" with a more general term "issue", softening the negative connotation.

developed a problem

Focuses on the emergence of a new difficulty or issue.

suffered a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact or delay caused by the complication.

encountered difficulties

Uses a more formal and general way to describe facing problems.

ran into trouble

Suggests an unexpected and possibly avoidable problem.

presented with unforeseen challenges

Highlights the unexpected nature of the complication using medical terminology.

faced an obstacle

Highlights the challenging nature of the complication as something to be overcome.

underwent a difficult experience

Shifts the focus to the personal experience of facing a challenging situation.

met with adversity

Implies a more significant and persistent challenge or misfortune.

was affected by an adverse event

Uses more formal and clinical language to describe the negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "had a complication" in a sentence?

You can use "had a complication" to describe a situation where an unexpected problem arose. For example: "The patient "had a complication" after the surgery that prolonged their recovery."

What are some alternatives to saying "had a complication"?

Alternatives include "experienced an issue", "suffered a setback", or "developed a problem", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "had a complication" or "experienced a complication"?

Both "had a complication" and "experienced a complication" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific tone you want to convey. "Experienced" might sound slightly more formal.

What kind of word is "complication"?

"Complication" is a noun, referring to a difficult or complex situation; or a secondary disease or condition aggravating an already existing one.