is too complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is too complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something is too difficult or convoluted to understand. For example: "The problem she presented us was too complex for us to solve in the time allotted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The world is too complex to model.

The New York Times

Latin America is too complex for that.

The Guardian - Sport

First, the benefits system is too complex.

The Guardian

But a really high order polynomial is too complex.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"My topic is too complex," she told herself.

Princeton University

Their molecular structure is too complex for immediate combustibility.

The New Yorker

The world is too complex and frightening to endure otherwise.

The New Yorker

Because legislating is too complex for Trump to grasp.

The Guardian

So the brain is too complex to control.

The Guardian - Books

"The decision-making process in Europe is too complex".

The New York Times

"The knock against Hadoop was that it is too complex".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether simplifying the subject would improve understanding or usability. If so, explore ways to break down the complex elements into more manageable parts.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "is too complex" without providing specific examples or reasons. This lacks detail and leaves the reader without a clear understanding of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is too complex" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing its excessive complexity. Ludwig shows its prevalent use in expressing that something exceeds the limits of understanding or manageability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is too complex" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is excessively difficult to understand or manage. As Ludwig highlights, it is frequently used across various fields, including news, science, and academia. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's complexity. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific examples to illustrate the nature of the complexity and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "is overly complicated" or "is excessively intricate" can be used to add nuance. This analysis offers a thorough understanding of the phrase, enhancing clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is overly complicated

This alternative emphasizes that something has been made unnecessarily intricate.

is excessively intricate

This suggests a high level of detail making it hard to follow or deal with.

is prohibitively difficult

This highlights the degree of difficulty to the point of preventing success.

is beyond comprehension

This indicates that something is impossible to fully understand.

is unmanageably convoluted

This focuses on the tangled and confusing nature of something making it hard to handle.

is bafflingly elaborate

This conveys confusion about the extensive detail involved.

is impractically sophisticated

This suggests a level of advanced design that makes it unusable.

is dauntingly intricate

This implies the complexity is intimidating and discouraging.

is unreasonably labyrinthine

This compares the complexity to a maze, suggesting disorientation and difficulty in navigating.

is诘屈赘牙

A sophisticated Chinese idiom (jié qū zhuì yá) that means something is hard to understand and redundant in its explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "is too complex" in a sentence?

You can use "is too complex" to describe something difficult to understand, such as "The legal jargon "is too complex" for the average person to follow".

What are some alternatives to "is too complex"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is overly complicated", "is excessively intricate", or "is prohibitively difficult", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is too complex"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation, system, or concept that's difficult to understand or manage due to its intricacy or numerous interconnected parts.

What makes something "too complex"?

Complexity can arise from numerous factors, including intricate details, many interconnected parts, abstract concepts, or a combination of these elements that make something challenging to grasp or implement effectively.