overly complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly complex" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is more complicated than necessary or difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture were overly complex, making it hard for anyone to follow them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For tackling this complexity, it is believed that a drastic simplification of today's overly complex system architectures is overdue.

VLDB '02: Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Very Large Databases Hong Kong SAR, China 20–23 August 2002

Or just overly complex.

The New York Times

It's overly complex".

The Guardian

"They are arcane, archaic, overly complex".

The New York Times

Many government documents are overly complex and unclear, he says.

The Guardian

Rivals call the card and scheme overly complex.

The Guardian - Business

At worst, it is cluttered and overly complex.

The New Yorker

Coherent, yes, but, it's safe to say, not overly complex.

The New Yorker

Use concise phrasing; avoid long winded or overly complex sentences.

The Economist

Fresh, lively and long, if not overly complex.

The New York Times - Food

Their overly complex schemes misfired when Angela failed to appear at a proposed secret assignation.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "overly complex" to clearly communicate that simplification is needed. For example, "The application process is overly complex, deterring potential candidates."

Common error

Avoid using "overly complex" when you simply dislike something's complexity due to personal preference. Instead, reserve it for situations where the complexity demonstrably hinders functionality or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly complex" functions as a pre-modifying adjective. It is used to describe nouns, indicating that they possess a degree of complexity that is excessive or unnecessary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overly complex" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something with unnecessary complication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, but most prominently in News & Media and Scientific domains. When writing, be sure to use it when describing something that demonstrably has excessive complexity. Consider using synonyms like ""excessively complicated"" or ""unduly intricate"" to add variety to your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively complicated

Emphasizes the excessive nature of the complexity.

overcomplicated

A more concise synonym with the same core meaning.

unduly intricate

Highlights the unnecessary level of detail and elaboration.

needlessly complicated

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the complexity.

unnecessarily intricate

Similar to 'needlessly complicated' but emphasizes intricacy.

convoluted

Focuses on the twisting and turning nature of the complexity, making it hard to follow.

unnecessarily elaborate

Highlights the unnecessary addition of details.

inordinately detailed

Emphasizes that the level of detail is beyond what is reasonable or necessary.

byzantine

Implies a high degree of complexity and secretiveness, often in systems.

unwieldy

Suggests the complexity makes something difficult to manage or use.

FAQs

How can I use "overly complex" in a sentence?

You can use "overly complex" to describe something that is unnecessarily difficult to understand or use. For example: "The instructions were "overly complex", making the assembly process frustrating".

What are some alternatives to "overly complex"?

Some alternatives include "excessively complicated", "unduly intricate", or simply "overcomplicated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "too complex" or "overly complex"?

"Too complex" is a simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea. "Overly complex" emphasizes that the complexity is excessive and unnecessary.

What makes something "overly complex"?

Something is ""overly complex"" when its level of complication is disproportionate to its purpose, making it difficult to understand, use, or manage effectively.