if complications develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if complications develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate a condition that may arise in the future, particularly in medical, technical, or procedural discussions. Example: "Please monitor the patient's condition closely and notify me if complications develop."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Meckel diverticulum must be treated surgically if complications develop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Healthy people tend not to die from flu, although they can if complications develop, such as pneumonia or blood poisoning.

The Guardian

The primary midwife will collaborate with obstetricians and other health professionals as necessary, and will continue to provide caseload care in addition to care provided by obstetricians if complications develop.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The healthy horses received medical treatment only if complications developed.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

The PMU women accepted the possibility that they may not get to give birth there if complications developed (antenatally or in labour) and the possibility of transfer to the TMH in labour/after birth.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

It is possible that patients who underwent TRUS biopsy at participating hospitals presented with infections elsewhere, although routine advice was given to patients to represent to Cabrini Hospital if complications developed as it is the only private hospital in this region with an emergency department.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis with organ dysfunction is termed severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and complex SAP if local complications develop (such as infected pseudocyst).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Given that preoperatively administered antibiotics are associated with the lowest rate of surgical site infection and that, from a practical point of view, administration of the antibiotic preoperatively is less likely to be overlooked than after cord clamping, especially if intraoperative complications develop, preoperative administration seems more rational.

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Of course, if he has complications develop postoperatively, then he will be allowed to be hospitalized.

Los Angeles Times

If untreated, diabetic complications develop that cause loss of vision, peripheral neuropathy, impaired kidney function, heart disease, and stroke.

Diabetes Care

If life threatening complications develop at home the realization and decision making often comes too late to reach appropriate care at health facilities in time.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "if complications develop", ensure that the subsequent clause clearly outlines the action to be taken or the expected outcome. This provides a clear understanding of the contingency plan.

Common error

Avoid using "if complications develop" without specifying what actions should follow. A vague statement leaves room for misinterpretation and delays necessary interventions. Be specific about the next steps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if complications develop" functions as a conditional clause, setting up a scenario where certain actions or outcomes are contingent upon the occurrence of problems. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if complications develop" is a grammatically correct and commonly used conditional phrase that sets the stage for contingency planning. As shown by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent actions or outcomes are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "if problems arise" or "should issues arise" can provide variety while maintaining the same core meaning. Remember to always specify the course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if problems arise

Replaces "complications" with a more general term, maintaining the conditional structure.

if difficulties occur

Substitutes both "complications" and "develop" with synonyms, keeping the conditional meaning.

should issues arise

Uses "should" for a more formal conditional and replaces "complications" with "issues".

in the event of complications

Changes the structure to a prepositional phrase, still indicating a conditional situation.

if any problems emerge

Replaces "complications" with "problems" and "develop" with "emerge", focusing on the appearance of issues.

when complications happen

Changes "if" to "when", suggesting a more certain occurrence of complications.

if setbacks occur

Replaces "complications" with "setbacks", emphasizing obstacles to progress.

should any difficulties develop

Combines "should" for formality with "difficulties" for a softer tone than "complications".

if challenges arise

Uses "challenges" instead of "complications", focusing on the aspect of overcoming difficulties.

in case of adverse events

More formal and technical, replacing "complications" with "adverse events".

FAQs

How can I use "if complications develop" in a sentence?

Use "if complications develop" to introduce a conditional clause where certain actions should be taken should problems arise. For example, "The patient should be monitored closely; "if complications develop", notify the physician immediately."

What are some alternative phrases for "if complications develop"?

Some alternatives include "if problems arise", "should issues arise", or "in the event of complications". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it better to say "if a complication develops" or "if complications develop"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to a single, specific complication or multiple potential complications. "If a complication develops" refers to a single issue, whereas ""if complications develop"" suggests multiple possible problems.

What is the difference between "if complications develop" and "if complications arise"?

While both phrases are similar, ""if complications develop"" suggests a process of unfolding or becoming, whereas "if complications arise" indicates that the issues appear more suddenly. The nuance is subtle, and they are often interchangeable.