make things complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

"make things complicated" is correct and it is an idiomatic expression which is commonly used in written English.
Example: Bob always tries to make things complicated when his friends are trying to find a solution to their problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We make things complicated.

The New York Times

Some people need to make things complicated.

The New York Times

He tells Arnold how to win: not to make things complicated, to trust his eyes.

The New Yorker

The beauty of Mediterranean cooking is its simplicity, and Medi tries not to make things complicated.

The New York Times

(Note to self: Growing up a tennis player doesn't make things complicated. Growing up a reader does).

The New York Times - Sports

A win would guarantee top spot for Chelsea, a draw would make things complicated but could still leave them in second.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is useful, though, to remember this: in general terms, Rodriguez makes things complicated and Jeter keeps things simple.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is a multitude of ways to get these drugs, and that's what makes things complicated".

The New York Times

(Carter appears in several of the videos, drinking on the beach with his wife and making things complicated for their limousine driver).

The New Yorker

But her feeling for ritual makes things complicated for her biographers because she constantly revised her life to improve its structural clarity and mythic force.

The Guardian - Books

But there are traitors, both human and metallic, which makes things complicated in the sense that more exposition is required, and plot twists need to be handled with screaming instances of narrative torque.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make things complicated" when you want to emphasize that a situation or process is becoming unnecessarily difficult due to someone's actions or circumstances.

Common error

While "make things complicated" is a common idiom, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "obfuscate matters" or "muddy the waters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things complicated" functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action that introduces difficulty or complexity into a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make things complicated" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions that add unnecessary difficulty or complexity to a situation. As per Ludwig, it is deemed grammatically correct and commonly used. Analysis of its usage reveals that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral register. While alternatives exist, such as "complicate the issue" or "muddy the waters", the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, be mindful of overusing it and consider varying your language for better readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicate the issue

Focuses specifically on adding complexity to a particular issue.

make complex

A more direct way of saying to make something complex.

overcomplicate the process

Implies adding unnecessary complexity to an existing process.

introduce complications

Highlights the act of bringing new complex elements into a situation.

obfuscate matters

This alternative implies making something unclear, often intentionally.

add layers of complexity

Suggests a deliberate action of increasing complexity gradually.

muddy the waters

This phrase suggests making a situation less clear or understandable.

aggravate the situation

Implies worsening a situation, often by adding complications.

make it difficult

A more general way of expressing that something is being made harder.

make a mountain out of a molehill

This idiom refers to exaggerating the importance of something, thus complicating it.

FAQs

How can I use "make things complicated" in a sentence?

You can use "make things complicated" to describe actions that unnecessarily increase difficulty. For example, "Trying to involve everyone in the decision only "makes things complicated"".

What does it mean to "make things complicated"?

To "make things complicated" means to introduce unnecessary difficulty or complexity into a situation or process that could otherwise be simple.

Are there alternatives to saying "make things complicated"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "complicate the issue", "muddy the waters", or "obfuscate matters" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "make things complicated" or keep them simple?

In most situations, keeping things simple is preferable. "Making things complicated" often implies unnecessary effort and confusion. However, in some specific contexts, adding complexity might be necessary for thoroughness or accuracy.