reasonably complex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably complex" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a moderate level of complexity, often in contexts such as discussions about problems, tasks, or concepts that are not overly simple but also not excessively complicated. Example: "The project we are working on is reasonably complex, requiring careful planning and coordination among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Instead, the reasons for the public's objection to the bill are reasonably complex.

The New York Times

Turk-Browne believes that "any reasonably complex aspect of cognition is going to be reflected in the interactions among brain regions".

The New Yorker

The most successful handheld franchises – Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Cooking Mama, Professor Layton – they're all reasonably complex experiences, but they're also really, really cute.

The Guardian - Tech

The term skill denotes a movement that is reasonably complex and the execution of which requires at least a minimal amount of practice reflex acts such as sneezing are excluded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

States of computers are not the only things that can be so defined; most any reasonably complex entity that has parts that function in specific ways will do as well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jonathan is a reasonably complex character — his good intentions are touched with arrogance, his judgment clouded by infatuation and pride — and Mr. Day-Lewis gets to display his intelligence and sardonic humor in satisfying portions.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The housing project is not the gangster film cliché of a bullet-scarred, trash-and-graffiti-littered battleground, but a reasonably well-maintained complex in which the two groups mostly keep their distance.

The New York Times

This apparatus reasonably simplified the complex process to avoid particle collisions and randomness in the coating.

Particuology

The analysis of the four cases demonstrates that the proposed model can calculate the water flow and solute transport reasonably even with complex boundary and variable topography conditions.

Journal of Hydrology

This pattern of numerous small changes of expression could be reasonably expected in complex cardiovascular traits such as CAD.

Clinical Science

Normal subjects, by definition, are able to understand the reasonably long and complex sentences that are a feature of normal spoken discourse.

Brain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "reasonably complex" to indicate a level of intricacy that requires attention but isn't overwhelmingly complicated. This sets appropriate expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably complex" as a way to downplay the actual difficulty of a task or concept. Be sure to provide enough detail for clarity, even when something is only "reasonably" complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably complex" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a moderate degree of complexity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in written English. The examples show it describing everything from public opinion to television narratives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonably complex" serves as a useful descriptor when you want to acknowledge a level of intricacy without exaggerating it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, consider that its purpose is to set realistic expectations, and it is crucial to avoid oversimplifying the subject matter. Alternatives such as "moderately complex" or "fairly complicated" can be used to fine-tune the degree of complexity you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately complex

Indicates a middle-ground level of complexity, similar to "reasonably complex".

fairly complicated

Uses "complicated" instead of "complex", implying difficulty in understanding or dealing with.

relatively complex

Highlights that the complexity is in relation to something else, adding a comparative aspect.

quite complex

Emphasizes a higher degree of complexity compared to "reasonably complex".

somewhat intricate

Replaces "complex" with "intricate", suggesting detailed and elaborate structure.

not overly simple

Expresses complexity by negating simplicity, providing a more descriptive alternative.

acceptably intricate

This alternative swaps "complex" with "intricate" and adds "acceptably" to suggest that the level of intricacy is tolerable or suitable.

suitably involved

Implies the complexity is appropriate for the situation, replacing "complex" with "involved".

understandably elaborate

Replaces "complex" with "elaborate", suggesting that something is detailed and understandably so.

comfortably labyrinthine

Suggests the presence of intricacies like a labyrinth in an acceptable or manageable way.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably complex" to describe something that is not overly simple but also not excessively complicated. For example: "The algorithm is "reasonably complex", requiring a skilled programmer to maintain it."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably complex"?

Some alternatives to "reasonably complex" include "moderately complex", "fairly complicated", or "relatively complex", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reasonably complex" or "very complex"?

The choice between "reasonably complex" and "very complex" depends on the degree of complexity you want to convey. "Reasonably complex" suggests a moderate level of complexity, while "very complex" indicates a high level of intricacy and difficulty.

In what situations is the phrase "reasonably complex" most appropriate?

The phrase "reasonably complex" is suitable when you want to acknowledge that something is not simple but avoid exaggerating its difficulty. It's often used in technical or academic contexts where a balanced and accurate description is needed.