inherently complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inherently complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it, for example, in a sentence when you need to describe a situation that is naturally, or fundamentally, intricate and hard to explain. For example: "The legal implications of this marriage are inherently complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am not sure I understand what you mean by "strategy is inherently complex… and describing strategy favors complexity?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Strategy is inherently complex.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This makes resource management inherently complex and difficult to orchestrate.

Computer Networks

Something as inherently complex and mysterious as the brain is difficult to describe in literal terms.

The Guardian

It said China's rebalancing was inherently complex, and slower growth had eroded corporate sector health.

The Guardian - Business

I often hear the mantra that computers manage complex systems and are therefore inherently complex.

MIT Technology Review

Yet, CEAs are inherently complex and seldom linked to real-world management processes.

Stanford University

Strategy is inherently complex and the sheer number of possible objectives can overwhelm teams.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For, although simple in some ways, policing is inherently complex and deeply connected to the mood of the times.

The Guardian

Rational engineering of biological systems is an inherently complex process due to their evolved nature.

Metabolic Engineering

Inherently complex problems from many scientific disciplines require a multiscale modeling approach.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inherently complex", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the subject fundamentally complicated. Avoid vague applications; specify the contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "inherently complex" as a substitute for detailed explanation. While something may be fundamentally intricate, your writing should still provide insights into the layers or aspects of that complexity, rather than simply labeling it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inherently complex" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It describes something as possessing a fundamental and intrinsic level of complexity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

Academia

22%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inherently complex" is a common and accepted way to describe something with deep-rooted intricacy. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields such as science, academia, and news. When writing, remember to provide context for the complexity, avoiding vague statements. Consider related alternatives like "intrinsically complicated" or "naturally intricate" to add nuance to your descriptions. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility and appropriateness in conveying fundamental complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrinsically complicated

Replaces "complex" with "complicated" and "inherently" with "intrinsically", both suggesting an essential quality.

naturally intricate

Uses "intricate" instead of "complex", emphasizing the detailed and interwoven nature of something's complexity. "Naturally" replaces "inherently".

fundamentally involved

Shifts the focus to being "involved" instead of strictly complex, suggesting the presence of many interconnected factors from the beginning.

basically multifaceted

Emphasizes multiple aspects or sides to the complexity, suggesting various elements contribute to its nature. "Basically" replaces "inherently".

essentially elaborate

Highlights the detailed and carefully arranged character of the complexity, differing slightly from a purely difficult aspect. "Essentially" replaces "inherently".

by nature sophisticated

Attributes complexity to a natural sophistication rather than inherent difficulty.

constitutionally composite

Focuses on the composite nature of complexity, indicating that it's made up of numerous parts.

categorically difficult

Highlights the difficulty aspect more directly than the concept of general complexity.

unavoidably knotty

Uses a more informal term, "knotty", to suggest a tangled and difficult-to-resolve type of complexity.

inescapably labyrinthine

Draws on the image of a labyrinth to convey a sense of complexity that is difficult to navigate or understand.

FAQs

How can I use "inherently complex" in a sentence?

Use "inherently complex" to describe something whose complexity is a fundamental or essential characteristic. For instance, "The human brain is an inherently complex system".

What are some alternatives to "inherently complex"?

Consider using alternatives like "intrinsically complicated", "naturally intricate", or "fundamentally involved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very inherently complex"?

Yes, adding an intensifier like "very" to "inherently complex" is generally redundant. "Inherently" already implies a fundamental quality, so adding "very" doesn't add significant meaning.

What makes something "inherently complex"?

Something is "inherently complex" when its complexity arises from its basic nature or constitution, rather than from external factors. It implies that the intricacy is deeply ingrained and not easily simplified.