it was pretty complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was pretty complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is intricate or difficult to understand, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "The project we worked on last month was pretty complex, involving multiple layers of data analysis and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was pretty complex, and perhaps even lacking in some aspect.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's pretty complex," said Elyse Fink, a spokeswoman for the buildings department.

The New York Times

"It's pretty complex," he said.

TechCrunch

"Trying to model and simulate it are pretty complex.

TechCrunch

It doesn't sound like much, but it's pretty complex to execute well, which, despite a few glitches, SEER managed to do.

TechCrunch

It's pretty complex – and in German – but if I watched soccer at all I'd love this to be an in-line hardware box for the removal of noise.

TechCrunch

It's pretty complex, and I'm constantly feeling like I'm on a knife's edge".

Los Angeles Times

Much of our discussion was about contractual things … it's pretty complex …. and determining who is responsible for what.

Huffington Post

Step 7. Place everything on the yum-yums, as pictured (remember to breathe while you're doing this one, it's pretty complex).

Vice

A lot of people are afraid to tackle this issue because, first of all, it's pretty complex, and secondly, because they're scared people won't support them. .

Vice

Abbe D. Lowell, a veteran Washington lawyer who has defended clients accused of making false statements and of contempt of Congress, said the question of whether the agency had broken the law by omitting mention of the videotapes was "pretty complex," but said he "wouldn't rule it out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was pretty complex" to describe situations, processes, or ideas that are more intricate than they initially appear. It's suitable for conversational contexts where you want to downplay the complexity slightly without misrepresenting it.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "pretty" as an intensifier, especially in formal writing. While acceptable in casual contexts, consider using more precise adjectives like "quite", "rather", or "very" to convey the degree of complexity more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was pretty complex" functions as a descriptive statement. It serves to characterize a subject as having a notable degree of intricacy or complication, making it more than simple but less than overwhelmingly difficult. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Vice

12%

TechCrunch

10%

Less common in

The New York Times

10%

Huffington Post

6%

The Guardian

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was pretty complex" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as verified by Ludwig AI. It effectively communicates that something is intricate or challenging, without being excessively overwhelming. While it is most commonly found in news and media, as well as general conversational contexts, its level of formality makes it less suitable for highly academic or business-oriented writing. More formal alternatives such as "it was quite intricate" or "it presented considerable difficulties" should be considered for those settings. When used appropriately, this phrase can add nuance and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite intricate

Emphasizes the detailed and elaborate nature of something, making it more formal.

it was fairly complicated

Indicates a moderate level of difficulty or complexity.

it was rather involved

Suggests something required a lot of effort or had many parts.

it was somewhat convoluted

Highlights the confusing and intricate nature of something.

it was a bit perplexing

Focuses on the confusing and puzzling aspect of something.

it was notably sophisticated

Emphasizes the advanced and refined nature of something.

it presented considerable difficulties

Shifts the focus to the challenges posed by something.

it required a deep understanding

Highlights the level of knowledge needed to comprehend something.

it posed a significant challenge

Emphasizes the demanding nature of something.

it wasn't exactly straightforward

Uses understatement to indicate complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "it was pretty complex" in a sentence?

You can use "it was pretty complex" to describe something that is intricate or difficult to understand but not overwhelmingly so. For example: "The algorithm they developed "it was pretty complex", involving multiple layers of data analysis."

What can I say instead of "it was pretty complex"?

You can use alternatives like "it was quite intricate", "it was fairly complicated", or "it was rather involved" depending on the context.

Is "it was pretty complex" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "it was pretty complex" leans towards informality. For professional writing, consider using more formal alternatives such as "it was quite intricate" or "it presented considerable difficulties".

What's the difference between "it was pretty complex" and "it was very complex"?

"It was pretty complex" implies a moderate level of complexity, suggesting it's intricate but manageable. "It was very complex" indicates a higher degree of intricacy, suggesting it's significantly challenging to understand or deal with.