relatively complex

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively complex" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not overly complex but is more complicated than expected. For example: "The project assignment was relatively complex, requiring us to think outside of the box."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the math is relatively complex".

The New York Times - Science

We perform two relatively complex calculations.

Cornell University

"It is a company that is relatively complex to value.

The Guardian - Business

Particularly when launching relatively complex apps such as Evernote and games.

The Guardian - Tech

Otherwise, in respect of relatively complex matters, the act may prove to be a toothless tiger.

The Guardian

This relatively complex structure required a range of stakeholders to reach agreement.

The Guardian - Business

The I.R.S. estimates it takes 27 hours to complete a relatively complex return.

The New York Times

"Mindwheel" is relatively complex, requiring Pinsky to write elaborate verb-implementation tables, which he adored.

The New Yorker

Such methods are relatively complex according to the considered case.

Measurement

The challenge, however, is the relatively complex reaction network.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

It is visually relatively complex, and players often cannot see what their opponent is up to.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively complex" to indicate that something is more intricate than it initially appears, but not overwhelmingly so. It's useful when setting expectations or explaining why a task might take more time than anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively complex" when something is genuinely simple. This can confuse your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively complex" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating a degree of complexity that is present but not absolute, softening the impact of simply stating "complex". Ludwig examples show the phrase describing various concepts, systems, and tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively complex" serves as a nuanced descriptor, indicating a level of intricacy that is present but not overwhelming. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and academic domains underscores its utility in describing tasks, systems, or concepts that are more involved than they initially seem. Alternatives such as "moderately complicated" and "somewhat intricate" offer similar shades of meaning, while understanding the difference between ""relatively complex"" and "complex" is crucial for precise communication. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to ensure that the subject truly warrants a moderate level of complexity, avoiding exaggeration that could confuse or mislead the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately complicated

Emphasizes the level of difficulty, suggesting it's manageable but not straightforward.

approaching complex

Indicates the situation is nearing a state of complex but not fully complex yet.

somewhat intricate

Focuses on the detailed and elaborate nature, suggesting a level of complexity that requires careful attention but is not overwhelming.

reasonably involved

Highlights the extent of participation or engagement required, implying a task that needs significant effort but is still within reason.

fairly sophisticated

Points to a level of advancement or refinement, suggesting it's above average in complexity or design.

noticeably elaborate

Stresses the obvious or easily perceived complexity in design or execution.

comparatively knotty

Uses a metaphor to imply a problem or situation that is tangled or difficult to resolve, but not impossibly so.

slightly convoluted

Suggests a twisting or intricate pattern, implying the presence of unnecessary complexity that can be confusing.

a tad Byzantine

Evokes a sense of extreme complexity or secretiveness, often implying deliberate obfuscation.

kind of labyrinthine

Uses the metaphor of a maze to suggest that something is intricate and difficult to navigate, but not necessarily impossible.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively complex" to describe tasks, systems, or concepts that are more intricate than they appear at first glance. For example, "The algorithm used is "relatively complex", requiring a deep understanding of statistical methods."

What are some alternatives to "relatively complex"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "moderately complicated", "somewhat intricate", or "reasonably involved" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "relatively complex"?

Use "relatively complex" when you want to acknowledge that something is not simple, but also not overwhelmingly difficult. It's appropriate when explaining why something might take more time or effort than initially expected.

What's the difference between "relatively complex" and "complex"?

"Complex" implies a high degree of intricacy and difficulty, while ""relatively complex"" suggests a moderate level of complexity compared to something simpler. The former is more absolute, while the latter is comparative.