quite complex

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite complex" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe anything that is more complicated than usual. For example: "The plumbing system in this house is quite complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's quite complex analytical work".

Independent

Motivation is quite complex.

The Guardian

The reality is quite complex.

Harvard University

LUE: LabXchange is quite complex.

Harvard University

These are quite complex issues.

The Guardian - Business

Our emotions are quite complex.

Harvard Business Review

"It's easy, but quite complex," he said.

The New York Times

In others, he was quite complex.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact she is quite complex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The legal position is quite complex.

The Guardian

However, its construction is quite complex.

Measurement

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite complex" when you want to convey that something is more intricate or complicated than initially perceived, but without exaggerating the difficulty to the point of being overwhelming. It's a moderate descriptor suitable for various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "quite complex" to describe things that are generally understood to be simple. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound pretentious. Opt for simpler descriptors when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite complex" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to describe the degree of complexity of something, indicating it is more intricate than simple, but not exceedingly so. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite complex" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is more intricate or complicated than it might initially appear. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone applicable in news, academic, and general writing. While alternatives exist, such as "rather intricate" or "somewhat complicated", the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overusing it in simple contexts to preserve its impact. This phrase is indeed a common and accepted way to describe moderate complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather intricate

Replaces "complex" with "intricate" and "quite" with "rather", emphasizing the detailed and elaborate nature.

somewhat complicated

Substitutes "complex" with "complicated" and "quite" with "somewhat", suggesting a moderate level of difficulty.

moderately involved

Replaces "complex" with "involved" and "quite" with "moderately", indicating a fair amount of elements or steps.

fairly sophisticated

Substitutes "complex" with "sophisticated" and "quite" with "fairly", highlighting the advanced and refined nature.

remarkably elaborate

Replaces "complex" with "elaborate" and "quite" with "remarkably", emphasizing the high level of detail and intricacy.

distinctly multifaceted

Replaces "complex" with "multifaceted" and "quite" with "distinctly", stressing the multiple aspects and dimensions.

noticeably intricate

Substitutes "complex" with "intricate" and "quite" with "noticeably", highlighting the clear and apparent complexity.

significantly detailed

Replaces "complex" with "detailed" and "quite" with "significantly", emphasizing the depth and extent of the details.

reasonably convoluted

Substitutes "complex" with "convoluted" and "quite" with "reasonably", suggesting a winding and intricate nature.

decidedly labyrinthine

Replaces "complex" with "labyrinthine" and "quite" with "decidedly", stressing the maze-like and intricate nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite complex" to describe something that is more intricate than it appears. For example: "The algorithm used in this program is "quite complex", requiring significant computational power."

What are some alternatives to "quite complex"?

Alternatives to "quite complex" include "rather intricate", "somewhat complicated", or "moderately involved". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "quite complex" too informal for academic writing?

"Quite complex" is generally acceptable in academic writing, but consider using more formal synonyms like "highly sophisticated" or "considerably elaborate" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "quite complex" and "very complex"?

"Quite complex" suggests a moderate level of complexity, while "very complex" indicates a higher degree of intricacy and difficulty. "Very complex" implies something is significantly more challenging to understand or deal with than something that is "quite complex".