more complicated than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more complicated than" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is most commonly used to compare two objects or situations, implying that one is more complicated than the other. For example, "Building a house is more complicated than putting together a bookshelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing more complicated than that".

The New York Times

It's more complicated than that.

The New York Times - Sports

It ain't more complicated than that".

The New Yorker

It's no more complicated than that.

The New York Times - Tech

Indeed, it's more complicated than that.

The New York Times

It's not more complicated than that.

The New York Times - Sports

Real life is more complicated than that.

Independent

This is more complicated than it sounds.

The New York Times - Sports

This is more complicated than I thought.

The New York Times

Golf is more complicated than that".

The New York Times

It is more complicated than that.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more complicated than", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The process is more complicated than it seems", clarify: "The process is more complicated than it initially seems."

Common error

Avoid using "more complicated than" when a simpler phrase suffices. For example, instead of saying "The instructions were more complicated than necessary", consider "The instructions were unnecessarily complex."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more complicated than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing possesses a higher degree of complexity compared to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more complicated than" is a versatile comparative adjective phrase used to express that something is more complex than something else. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and highly prevalent in written English, particularly within the news and media and scientific domains. The examples found by Ludwig underscore its utility in various contexts, from describing intricate relationships to contrasting levels of difficulty. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in your comparison, and avoid overuse in contexts where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. It is a standard expression that readers across various levels of expertise will readily understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more complex than

Uses "complex" as a direct synonym for "complicated", maintaining a high degree of interchangeability.

more intricate than

Replaces "complicated" with "intricate", emphasizing detailed and elaborate complexity.

more elaborate than

Focuses on the detailed and extensive nature of the complexity.

not as straightforward as

Uses a negative construction to highlight the lack of simplicity, rather than directly stating complexity.

more involved than

Substitutes "complicated" with "involved", suggesting a greater degree of participation or entanglement.

not as simple as

Emphasizes the absence of simplicity, presenting a contrast to the apparent ease.

more sophisticated than

Replaces "complicated" with "sophisticated", often implying a higher level of skill or knowledge required.

not as easy as

Expresses that something requires effort and may not be straightforward.

a greater challenge than

Shifts the focus to the difficulty involved, framing it as a challenge rather than just complexity.

more demanding than

Highlights the requirements and effort needed, suggesting a higher level of difficulty.

FAQs

How do I use "more complicated than" in a sentence?

Use "more complicated than" to compare the complexity of two subjects. For example, "Quantum physics is "more complicated than" classical mechanics."

What are some alternatives to "more complicated than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more complex than", "more intricate than", or "not as simple as".

Which is correct, "more complicated than" or "more complicate than"?

"More complicated than" is the correct phrasing. "Complicated" is an adjective, while "complicate" is a verb. The comparative form requires the adjective.

What's the difference between "more complicated than" and "simpler than"?

"More complicated than" indicates a higher degree of complexity, while "simpler than" indicates a lower degree of complexity. They are antonyms used to compare the relative simplicity or complexity of two things.