merely complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is complicated but not necessarily difficult or overwhelming, often implying that the complexity is not as significant as it may seem. Example: "The problem at hand is merely complicated; with a little patience, we can find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is a contrast between the complex and the merely complicated.

The New York Times - Arts

Ministers think the savings credit introduced by Mr Brown in part to address that glitch merely complicated the system.On April 4th the government published proposals intended to rid the pensions system of this perverse incentive.

The Economist

It wasn't until high school, after I'd read James Baldwin and other black writers, interacted with some black kids during summers out of town and listened to hip-hop that I came to realize that it was a word not merely complicated, but intensely fraught.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, Spotify did not invent creation — nor the idea of making a living as an artist (if anything, it's merely complicated artistic existence), nor the activity of listening to music and feeling inspired — but, since its launch, in 2008, it has changed the way we think about all of those things.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The fact that these candidates must also try to appeal to both hawkish Republican-primary voters and the more remorseful general voting public merely complicates matters.

The Economist

But it merely complicates the series of decisions the Dolphins will have to make in the spring if they do not catch the Colts for the first overall pick.

The New York Times - Sports

Insight into the causes of disease and its treatment often lies at the level of the gene or cellular proteins; the use of a whole, alien animal merely complicates the process.

The Guardian - Opinion

Proponents of this "American experience" may argue that comfort and convenience are what makes our country beautiful, and that it is harmless to ease and better our lifestyles by extricating ourselves from things that merely complicate our lives.

Huffington Post

In other words, unless you believe that there is something magical (as opposed to merely fiendishly complicated) about how the brain works, the existence of humans is proof, in principle at least, that intelligent machines can be built.Having taken the possibility of AI as a given, Mr Bostrom spends most of his book examining the implications of building it.

The Economist

In response to this misreading, Kuhn repeatedly emphasized that incommensurability does not imply incomparability (cf. Hoyningen-Huene 1993, 236ff).. Theory comparison is merely more complicated than imagined by some philosophers of science.

SEP

The tinkering that will follow this spill will merely further complicate it.Offshore drilling seems like a sensible way to obtain a very handy product.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely complicated" to downplay the difficulty of a complex issue, suggesting it can be resolved with straightforward methods.

Common error

Avoid using "merely complicated" when the situation is genuinely challenging or requires advanced expertise. Overusing it can undermine the seriousness of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely complicated" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective, serving to qualify the degree of complexity. It implies that while something may have many parts or steps, it isn't inherently difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely complicated" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, though relatively rare in occurrence. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to qualify complexity, suggesting that something is intricate but not inherently difficult. This phrase often serves to reassure the audience, downplaying concerns about a complex situation. While its register is neutral, it appears more frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. When using "merely complicated", be mindful not to undermine the seriousness of genuinely challenging situations. Alternatives like "simply complex" or "just intricate" can provide similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Simply complex

Emphasizes the complexity more directly while retaining the sense of not being overly difficult.

Just intricate

Replaces "complicated" with "intricate", suggesting fine detail rather than overall difficulty.

Only complex

Highlights the complexity as the single defining characteristic, minimizing other potential issues.

Not so difficult

Shifts the focus to the lack of difficulty, implying the complexity is manageable.

Relatively complex

Introduces a comparative element, suggesting the complexity is moderate in relation to other things.

Somewhat complex

Uses "somewhat" to diminish the perceived level of complexity.

Slightly involved

Replaces "complicated" with "involved", suggesting a moderate degree of complexity.

Moderately complex

Directly states the level of complexity as being moderate.

Technically complex

Implies that the complexity lies in the technical aspects rather than practical application.

Superficially complex

Suggests that the complexity is only apparent and not deeply rooted.

FAQs

How can I use "merely complicated" in a sentence?

Use "merely complicated" to describe something that has many parts or steps but isn't inherently difficult to understand or resolve. For example, "The process is "merely complicated"; it just requires careful attention to detail."

What can I say instead of "merely complicated"?

You can use alternatives like "simply complex", "just intricate", or "relatively complex" depending on the context. Each of these phrases has slightly different nuances that may make it better suited for a particular situation.

Which is correct, "merely complicated" or "simply complicated"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "merely complicated" implies a degree of underestimation, whereas "simply complicated" focuses on the straightforward presence of complexity.

What's the difference between "merely complicated" and "superficially complex"?

"Merely complicated" suggests that something is complex but not difficult, whereas "superficially complex" implies that the complexity is only apparent and not truly significant.