serious complication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious complication" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in medical contexts or situations where a significant problem arises. For example, "The patient developed a serious complication after the surgery." Alternative expressions include "major issue" and "significant problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a serious complication called Wernicke encephalopathy.

The New York Times

Infection remains the most serious complication.

Annals of Intensive Care

Infection is a potentially serious complication of orthopedic implant surgery.

Surface and Coatings Technology

None of the patients had a serious complication.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Despite all appropriate measures, PIE remains a potentially serious complication.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

IOL dislocation is a serious complication after cataract surgery.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

The most serious complication of pericarditis is constriction.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

We herein report a rare but serious complication of PSTD.

Surgical Case Reports

Dislocation is a serious complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

A serious complication of TACE is acute liver failure.

Insights into Imaging

Intraocular lens dislocation is a serious complication after cataract surgery.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting medical or technical issues, be specific about the nature of the "serious complication". Provide details on its potential impact and required actions.

Common error

Avoid using "serious complication" for minor issues. Ensure the problem genuinely poses a significant risk or negative impact before using this term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious complication" functions as a noun phrase describing a grave issue. It typically serves as the object of a sentence or clause, highlighting the significant nature of the problem. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is common in formal and technical writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious complication" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a significant problem, particularly in medical, scientific, and technical contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it often highlights the severity and potential risks associated with a situation. While alternatives like "grave consequence" or "critical issue" exist, "serious complication" maintains a specific emphasis on the adverse outcomes that may arise. When employing this phrase, specificity is key, ensuring the gravity of the situation is accurately conveyed without overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave consequence

Replaces 'complication' with 'consequence', emphasizing the outcome's severity.

severe repercussion

Uses 'repercussion' instead of 'complication', highlighting the impact of an action or event.

major setback

Substitutes 'complication' with 'setback', focusing on the hindrance or delay caused.

critical issue

Replaces both 'serious' and 'complication' with 'critical issue', denoting a problem of utmost importance.

significant adversity

Employs 'adversity' in place of 'complication', highlighting the challenging or unfavorable situation.

dire predicament

Uses 'dire predicament' to convey a sense of urgency and severity not always present in 'serious complication'.

challenging development

Replaces 'serious' and 'complication' to something that is difficult to manage or overcome.

acute crisis

Uses 'acute crisis' to describe a sudden and severe event that requires immediate attention.

problematic outcome

Focuses on the result being undesirable or causing difficulty.

unfavorable result

Emphasizes that the consequence is undesirable.

FAQs

How to use "serious complication" in a sentence?

You can use "serious complication" to describe a significant problem that arises, especially in medical or technical contexts. For example, "The surgery went well, but a "serious complication" arose during recovery."

What are some alternatives to "serious complication"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "grave consequence", "severe repercussion", or "critical issue" as alternatives to "serious complication".

Which is more appropriate: "serious complication" or "minor complication"?

"Serious complication" is used when the problem is severe and has significant consequences. "Minor complication" is used when the issue is less severe and easily managed. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "serious complication" and "unforeseen issue"?

"Serious complication" implies a grave problem with potential negative impacts, while "unforeseen issue" simply indicates an unexpected problem. The former is much more severe in its implications. For example, a "serious complication" during surgery is life-threatening, while an unforeseen issue is a brief delay.