seems complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is too complicated to understand or process. For example: "The tax code seems complicated - I'm not sure I want to try to file myself this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Brexit seems complicated and repetitive.

The New York Times

If all of this seems complicated, it is.

Columbia University

It seems complicated and not easy to understand.

The New Yorker

The relationship between Sandusky and Paterno seems complicated, however.

The New York Times - Sports

For others, the idea of catching rainwater and reusing it is new and seems complicated.

The Guardian

"If it seems complicated, I don't think we're aware of it.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The present seemed complicated enough.

The New Yorker

His personal life often seemed complicated.

Independent

At first glance, it seemed complicated.

The New Yorker

Yet teaching about food and nutrition can seem complicated.

Columbia University

This may seem complicated, but it is really very easy.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems complicated", ensure the context clearly indicates what is perceived as complex. Provide specific details or examples to clarify the subject of the perceived complication.

Common error

Avoid using "seems complicated" as a standalone statement without providing context. Instead of saying, "The project seems complicated", specify why it seems complex: "The project seems complicated because of the multiple stakeholders and conflicting deadlines."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems complicated" primarily functions as a subjective assessment. It qualifies a noun or situation by expressing that it gives an impression of being complex or difficult to understand. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems complicated" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a perception of complexity or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in English, suitable for various contexts. The expression appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing, as documented by Ludwig. When using "seems complicated", it's crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify what aspect is perceived as complex, avoiding vague or standalone statements. Alternatives such as "appears intricate" or "looks complex" can be used, especially in more formal settings. This phrase allows for a subjective assessment, expressing an initial judgment about a challenging situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears intricate

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "complicated" with "intricate", suggesting a more formal tone.

looks complex

Uses "looks" instead of "seems" offering a slightly less formal alternative, and "complex" instead of "complicated".

is not straightforward

Expresses the idea of complication by negating straightforwardness.

is far from simple

Similar to "is not straightforward", this phrase uses negation to indicate complexity.

presents challenges

Shifts the focus from inherent complexity to the difficulties it poses.

is difficult to grasp

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding something.

poses difficulties

Similar to "presents challenges", focusing on the problems that arise.

is not easily understood

Emphasizes the lack of ease in comprehension.

requires careful consideration

Highlights the need for thorough thought due to potential complexities.

is a thorny issue

Uses a metaphor to describe the problem as something difficult to handle.

FAQs

How can I use "seems complicated" in a sentence?

You can use "seems complicated" to express that something appears difficult to understand or deal with. For example, "The instructions for assembling the furniture "seems complicated", so I may need help".

What are some alternatives to "seems complicated"?

Alternatives include "appears intricate", "looks complex", or "is not straightforward", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "seems complicated" in formal writing?

While "seems complicated" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "appears intricate" or "is complex" might be preferable in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "seems complicated" and "is complicated"?

"Seems complicated" expresses a perception or initial impression of complexity, while "is complicated" states it as a definitive fact. The former implies a subjective assessment, while the latter suggests an objective truth.