intricate problems

USAGE SUMMARY

"intricate problems" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to describe difficult situations or complex issues. For example: The team at the company was facing an array of intricate problems that had to be solved before the product could be released.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

We need not bother with the intricate problems of state law involved in the dispute.

Cornell University

The designing of a much more complicated device, such as a space suit, presents more intricate problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As it is, the federal government has limited constitutional authority and ever more intricate problems to manage.

The New York Times

Computing the optimal geometric structure of manipulators is one of the most intricate problems in contemporary robot kinematics.

Journal of Advanced Research

Some colleagues referred to him as a genius; he could attend to engineering obstacles with extreme focus, and was able to visualize simple solutions for intricate problems.

The New Yorker

These are people with unique sensitivity for the details of the natural world, who are are humbly wrapped up inside intricate problems.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Modern scholars recognized, however, that such an analysis is an oversimplification of an intricate problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And there remains the intricate problem of developing relevant measurements of the effects of different contents upon different reactors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The company's patent woes, though, are merely a backdrop to the more intricate problem of Propecia's pricing.

The New York Times

Listening to Adams's music, I pictured Stravinsky in a hut at Los Alamos, working away on an intricate problem of seemingly tangential yet ultimately crucial significance.

The New Yorker

At shorter wavelengths, however, the LTE approximation usually taken in such models fails, which makes a reconstruction of the solar UV irradiance a rather intricate problem.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation with multiple layers of complexity, use "intricate problems" to convey the depth and interconnectedness of the issues involved.

Common error

Avoid using simplistic solutions when addressing "intricate problems". Recognize that these situations require nuanced approaches and a thorough understanding of all contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intricate problems" functions as a noun phrase, where "intricate" modifies the noun "problems". Ludwig's examples show it describing various complex and challenging situations. The phrase often serves as the object or subject complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intricate problems" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to depict complex and multifaceted issues. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. The phrase appears commonly in science, news, and academic contexts, emphasizing its versatility across various domains. While alternatives like "complex challenges" or "complicated issues" exist, "intricate problems" specifically highlights the detailed and interwoven nature of the challenges. When using this phrase, avoid oversimplifying the issues and recognize the need for nuanced, detailed solutions. In essence, "intricate problems" effectively conveys the depth and complexity of a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex challenges

Replaces 'intricate' with 'complex' and 'problems' with 'challenges', emphasizing the demanding nature of the issues.

complicated issues

Uses 'complicated' instead of 'intricate' and 'issues' instead of 'problems', highlighting the convoluted nature of the matters.

difficult dilemmas

Substitutes 'intricate' with 'difficult' and 'problems' with 'dilemmas', focusing on the challenging decision-making aspects.

thorny questions

Replaces 'intricate' with 'thorny' and 'problems' with 'questions', suggesting issues that are sensitive and hard to resolve.

involved difficulties

Uses 'involved' to convey intricacy and 'difficulties' to replace 'problems', emphasizing the complexity and hardships.

complex predicaments

Replaces 'intricate' with 'complex' and 'problems' with 'predicaments', focusing on difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situations.

challenging puzzles

Substitutes 'intricate' with 'challenging' and 'problems' with 'puzzles', highlighting the need for problem-solving skills.

gnarly issues

Uses 'gnarly' instead of 'intricate' to emphasize the twisted and difficult nature of the issues.

convoluted matters

Replaces 'intricate' with 'convoluted' and 'problems' with 'matters', focusing on the complex and confusing nature of the subjects.

labyrinthine predicaments

Substitutes intricate with labyrinthine implying the predicament is complex and has multiple paths or solutions.

FAQs

How can I use "intricate problems" in a sentence?

Use "intricate problems" to describe situations that are complex and have many interconnected aspects. For instance, "Solving the city's budget deficit involves addressing a series of "intricate problems"".

What are some alternatives to "intricate problems"?

You can use alternatives such as "complex challenges", "complicated issues", or "difficult dilemmas" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "complex problems" or "intricate problems"?

Both "complex problems" and "intricate problems" are correct, but "intricate problems" emphasizes the interwoven and detailed nature of the issues, while "complex problems" simply highlights their complicated nature.

What makes a problem "intricate"?

A problem is considered "intricate" when it involves many interconnected parts, making it difficult to understand or resolve with a simple solution. An intricate problem often requires a deep analysis of its various components.