small complication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small 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 small complication during the project, but we were able to resolve it quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

No small complication that.

The New York Times

These babies tend to be twins with a touch of jaundice, or full-term newborns with some small complication.

The New Yorker

There is also the small complication that her partner is the Socialist Party's boss, François Hollande.

The Economist

There is a small complication as regards Cook's immediate future with his wife, Alice, expecting their third child some time around the fourth and fifth Test.

The Guardian - Sport

There was one small complication: Nicole Richie had sent her personal assistant and her new stylist's assistant to Decades to resell some unwanted clothes.

The New Yorker

(Silver, playfully talking shop with Zoe's office: "I've got some real cheap dresses for her that she can afford. I've got lots in the eighteen-hundred-to-four-thousand range"). There was one small complication: Nicole Richie had sent her personal assistant and her new stylist's assistant to Decades to resell some unwanted clothes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

There are a few small complications.

The New York Times

Her own stride is beautifully strong and fluid, but, of course, there are inevitable small complications for any runner who is legally blind.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a smaller complication rate than wisdom tooth extractions, at 7percentt, and colonoscopies at 0.35percentt -- neither of which must be conducted in ambulatory surgical centers or which require doctors to have hospital admitting privileges.

Huffington Post

The machine was smaller, complications fewer.

The New Yorker

Mr. Fedler, the superintendent of the Library disclosed a small municipal complication which is probably responsible for the whole mess.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small complication" when you want to downplay the significance of an issue, suggesting it's manageable and not a major obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "small complication" to minimize problems that have significant potential impact. It can appear dismissive and undermine trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small complication" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "complication". Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small complication" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a minor issue or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, though most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific writing. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent. The phrase serves to minimize the significance of a problem, suggesting it's manageable. Alternatives include phrases like "minor setback" or "slight difficulty", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor setback

Focuses on the hindrance aspect of the complication.

slight difficulty

Emphasizes the ease with which the problem can be overcome.

minor inconvenience

Highlights the bothersome nature of the issue, but with minimal impact.

small hitch

Implies a temporary disruption that is easily resolved.

trivial issue

Indicates the unimportance of the problem.

insignificant problem

Underlines the lack of importance or consequence of the problem.

minor snag

Suggests a small obstacle or impediment.

little problem

Directly indicates the small scale of the issue.

modest difficulty

Highlights the limited scale of the problem.

passing snag

Implies that the problem is temporary and will resolve itself quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "small complication" to describe a minor issue that arises during a process or situation. For example, "We encountered a small complication during the project rollout, but quickly resolved it."

What phrases are similar to "small complication"?

Alternatives include "minor setback", "slight difficulty", or "minor inconvenience". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "small complication" formal or informal?

The phrase "small complication" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends more on the situation and intended tone than the setting.

When should I avoid using "small complication"?

Avoid using "small complication" if the issue you're describing has the potential to cause significant problems or requires considerable effort to resolve. In such cases, a more serious tone may be appropriate.