slight complication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight complication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor issue or difficulty that arises in a situation or process. Example: "We encountered a slight complication during the project, but we were able to resolve it quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

However, there was a slight complication.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Enter Max and Aaron, a slight complication to the story.

The Guardian

There's a slight complication though: it requires "blackfella approval".

The Guardian - Film

He took them to baseball games, but there was a slight complication.

The New York Times

A slight complication was that in bad times the unemployment rate tended to understate how bad things were.

Independent

One slight complication is the fact that your sister won't actually be living in the property once she has left for the US.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They far exceed the slight complications of when a headscarf slips during weightlifting.

The Washington Post

Though insightful, von Neumann's analysis of situations like the gas station game had limited real-world application because his theory couldn't accommodate even slight complications to a game.

Princeton University

But what grates here is not so much the sloppiness or the flat prose as the absence of even the slightest complication.

The New York Times - Books

Only one in 10 women in Ethiopia deliver at a health facility, and in the absence of trained professionals, even the slightest complication can be fatal for both mother and child.

The Guardian

Why do we so often feel guilty to mention even the slightest complication from conceiving a child to caring for a tiny infant?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight complication" to introduce a problem that doesn't significantly impact the overall outcome or requires minimal effort to resolve.

Common error

Avoid using "slight complication" for issues that are genuinely serious or complex, as it can downplay the problem and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight complication" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a sentence or part of a clause. It indicates a problem or difficulty of minor significance. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight complication" serves as a noun phrase denoting a minor issue or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts. Its purpose is often to minimize the severity of a problem. While its register is generally neutral, its usage spans across news, scientific, and academic domains. Alternatives include "minor difficulty" or "small problem". However, using "slight complication" for truly severe issues should be avoided to prevent misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor difficulty

Emphasizes the ease of handling the issue.

small problem

Highlights the limited scale of the issue.

minor setback

Focuses on the delaying aspect of the problem.

trivial issue

Underscores the unimportance of the matter.

hiccup

An informal term implying a brief disruption.

glitch

Suggests a technical malfunction.

minor impediment

A more formal way to denote a small hindrance.

small snag

Implies an unexpected obstacle.

temporary hurdle

Emphasizes the transient nature of the obstacle.

modest challenge

Highlights the need for effort, albeit small.

FAQs

How can I use "slight complication" in a sentence?

You can use "slight complication" to introduce a minor problem or difficulty, as in "There was a slight complication with the booking, but we resolved it quickly."

What are some alternatives to "slight complication"?

Alternatives include "minor difficulty", "small problem", or "minor setback", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "slight complication" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight complication" is appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "minor impediment" might be preferred in very formal contexts.

When should I avoid using the phrase "slight complication"?

Avoid using "slight complication" if the issue is actually serious or has major consequences. In such cases, a more direct and serious term would be more appropriate.