is pretty convoluted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty convoluted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is complex, intricate, or difficult to understand. Example: "The explanation of the theory is pretty convoluted, making it hard for newcomers to grasp the main concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As an advert for straight-talking, honest politics, it is pretty convoluted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There is no science or fantasy to explain it and it's pretty convoluted.

Huffington Post

And that was pretty convoluted".

The New Yorker

That's pretty convoluted and hardly a convenient process.

TechCrunch

His reasons for not paying are pretty convoluted, and involve some daft interpretations of American history and the interplay of powers between the federal and state government.

Vice

A strip of wood is pretty flexible.

Interactive QuickTime Authoring wired media

It is pretty straightforward to use.

Embedded Systems Design Using the TI MSP430 Series

The linkage is pretty compelling.

Health Research Policy and Systems

So this is pretty close.

Biology Direct

While that is a pretty convoluted theory of insider trading, it looks as if the S.E.C. is saying that using your job to deduce something going on at another company that is your client can be enough to violate the insider trading prohibition.

The New York Times

This is a pretty convoluted accusation on its face, and hard to follow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is pretty convoluted" when you want to describe something as unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand, without being overly formal or critical. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts where a moderate level of informality is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "is pretty convoluted" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is excessively elaborate" or "is unduly knotty" for a more polished and authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty convoluted" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It's used to characterize a subject as being unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in describing plots, explanations, and processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is pretty convoluted" serves as a descriptive adjective indicating unnecessary complexity and difficulty in understanding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and it's frequently used in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While suitable for many situations, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal settings, opting instead for more sophisticated alternatives. Remember, effective communication prioritizes clarity, so choose your words wisely to prevent unnecessary convolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is rather complex

Uses "rather" instead of "pretty" and "complex" instead of "convoluted" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

is quite intricate

Replaces "pretty convoluted" with "quite intricate" maintaining the sense of complexity with a touch of elegance.

is fairly complicated

Substitutes "pretty" with "fairly" and "convoluted" with "complicated" to express a similar level of difficulty.

is somewhat labyrinthine

Employs "somewhat labyrinthine" instead of "pretty convoluted" to evoke the image of a maze-like complexity.

is notably tangled

Uses "notably tangled" to highlight the confusing and interwoven nature of something.

is reasonably involved

Replaces "convoluted" with "involved", suggesting something requires significant effort to understand.

is seriously perplexing

Emphasizes the confusing and baffling nature of something using "seriously perplexing".

is excessively elaborate

Highlights the overly detailed and complex nature using "excessively elaborate".

is unduly knotty

Uses "unduly knotty" to describe something that is unnecessarily difficult to unravel or understand.

is rather Byzantine

Draws a comparison to the Byzantine Empire, known for its complex bureaucracy and political intrigue.

FAQs

What does "is pretty convoluted" mean?

The phrase "is pretty convoluted" means something is unnecessarily complex and difficult to understand. It suggests that a process, idea, or explanation is more intricate or tangled than it needs to be.

How can I use "is pretty convoluted" in a sentence?

You can use "is pretty convoluted" to describe anything from a plotline to a legal document. For example: "The explanation of the new policy "is pretty convoluted", making it hard for employees to follow."

What can I say instead of "is pretty convoluted"?

You can use alternatives like "is rather complex", "is quite intricate", or "is fairly complicated" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is pretty convoluted"?

It's appropriate to use "is pretty convoluted" in informal or semi-formal contexts where you want to convey that something is unnecessarily complicated. Avoid it in highly formal or professional settings.