it seems complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be complicated or difficult to understand. Example: "At first glance, it seems complex, but once you break it down, it becomes much clearer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It seems complex, but it really isn't.

Huffington Post

If it seems complex, don't even try.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In a statement, YES said: "Our case is straightforward and they are trying to make it seem complex and complicated.

The New York Times - Sports

The story King weaves -- also involving a daredevil wanderer aunt, Cassie, who comes home to Bright Water to roost, possibly for good -- is confusingly complex, or maybe it just seems complex because it's rendered through the eyes of a 15-year-old boy who doesn't yet have a good grasp of the messiness of human relationships.

The New York Times - Books

— to seek it; what seems complex is the idea that what we're entitled to is, indeed, a pursuit, something strenuous and not necessarily successful.

The New Yorker

Scoring interpretation is absent and the scale seems complex because it includes different scoring methods, which might be confusing or difficult to interpret.

BMC Geriatrics

It may seem complex but grocking it will give you new appreciation for what it is meant when it Ben Horowitz says software is eating the world.

TechCrunch

Life in the fields seems complex.

Huffington Post

However, the relationship seems complex.

Breast Cancer Research

Overall it seems that complex IV activity will often decrease (in keeping with the observed histochemical COX defects), but other complex activities may be retained.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

For those weeks I looked very closely, so to me it seems immensely complex.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems complex" to introduce a topic that might initially appear daunting but could be simplified with further explanation. This helps manage reader expectations.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it seems complex". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems complex" functions as an evaluative statement. It is used to express a preliminary assessment of something, indicating that it appears complicated or difficult to understand based on initial observation. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often followed by an explanation or simplification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems complex" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating that something appears complicated or difficult to understand. While Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as usable, the frequency of exact matches is relatively rare. The phrase is commonly found across various contexts, including news, science and wikis. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to introduce potentially daunting topics, but be mindful of overuse and vary your sentence structure. Be aware that the phrase carries a neutral tone and is more of a subjective observation. In most of the sentences, the "it seems complex" is used as introduction of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears intricate

Emphasizes the detailed and elaborate nature that makes something seem complex.

it looks complicated

Focuses on the visual impression of complexity.

it strikes me as intricate

Highlights a personal perception of intricacy.

it gives the impression of being complicated

Focuses on the impression created rather than inherent complexity.

it presents a complex picture

Highlights the overall complex impression conveyed.

it has an air of complexity

Emphasizes the impression or feeling of complexity.

it smacks of complexity

Suggests that something is saturated with complexity.

it suggests intricacy

Suggests that a thing may be more intricate than is apparent at first glance.

it conveys complexity

Focuses on complexity being communicated.

it feels labyrinthine

Implies a bewildering and confusing complexity, likening it to a labyrinth.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it seems complex" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it appears intricate" or "it presents a complex picture". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication while maintaining the core meaning.

Is "it seems complex" always a negative statement?

Not necessarily. While it often implies difficulty or a challenge, "it seems complex" can also introduce a topic that is rich in detail and nuance. The tone depends on the context.

What's the difference between "it seems complex" and "it is complex"?

"It seems complex" suggests a subjective assessment based on initial observation, while "it is complex" implies an objective, factual statement of inherent complexity. The former leaves room for further exploration or simplification.

What can I say instead of "it seems complex" when describing a problem?

Depending on the specific challenge, you could use alternatives such as "it seems intractable", "it seems problematic", or "it seems cumbersome" to convey the nature of the difficulty more precisely.