somewhat complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, concept, or problem that is not straightforward and has some level of complexity. Example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture were somewhat complicated, requiring careful attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The case is somewhat complicated.

The New York Times

As ever, it's somewhat complicated.

The Guardian

So the answer here is somewhat complicated.

The New York Times

Their analysis is, however, somewhat complicated.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is a somewhat complicated process.

The New York Times

Mr. Kudrin's defiance has somewhat complicated that equation.

The New York Times

My position on these issues is somewhat complicated.

The New York Times

But, the applications of coupling mechanical work and thermal effect are somewhat complicated.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

The approach suggested for the robust designs for each category is different and somewhat complicated.

Computers & Operations Research

Such an approach reveals itself somewhat complicated to implement in practice and some simplifications are necessary.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Alternatively, there is a (somewhat-complicated-to-assert) right that arises automatically under copyright statutes.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the degree of complexity, use "somewhat complicated" to convey that something is not simple but also not overwhelmingly difficult. This provides a balanced and accurate depiction.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat complicated" when something is actually very straightforward or extremely complex. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects the level of difficulty or intricacy involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat complicated" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a moderate level of complexity or difficulty. This is supported by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe various situations and concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

48%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat complicated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that is moderately complex, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to convey a level of intricacy that is not simple, yet not overwhelmingly difficult. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral and professional registers. Its usage is particularly frequent in science and news media, making it a valuable tool for clear and accurate communication. Ludwig confirms its broad applicability and grammatical soundness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately complex

Replaces "complicated" with its synonym "complex" and maintains a similar level of intensity.

slightly complex

Replaces "somewhat" with "slightly" to indicate a minor level of complication.

somewhat challenging

Replaces "complicated" with "challenging" to focus on the difficulty aspect.

a bit intricate

Uses "intricate" instead of "complicated" and "a bit" to express a slightly lower degree of complexity.

a little convoluted

Uses "convoluted" to highlight the intricate and complex nature, while using "a little" for a slight degree.

rather involved

Uses "involved" as a synonym for "complicated" and "rather" for "somewhat", suggesting a similar level of entanglement.

not entirely straightforward

Emphasizes the lack of directness using a negative construction, indicating some level of complication.

relatively knotty

Substitutes "complicated" with "knotty" implying difficulty to resolve, while maintaining a close meaning.

kind of tricky

Adopts a more informal tone with "kind of" and uses "tricky" to suggest a challenging aspect.

mildly problematic

Replaces "complicated" with "problematic" to suggest potential issues, and "mildly" for a lighter impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat complicated" to describe situations or processes that aren't simple but aren't extremely complex either. For example, "The instructions were "somewhat complicated", but I managed to assemble the furniture."

What can I say instead of "somewhat complicated"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately complex", "a bit intricate", or "slightly complex" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "somewhat complicated" or "very complicated"?

Both are correct, but they describe different degrees of complexity. "Somewhat complicated" implies a moderate level of difficulty, while "very complicated" suggests a high level of difficulty.

What's the difference between "somewhat complicated" and "slightly confusing"?

"Somewhat complicated" typically refers to the intricate nature of something, while "slightly confusing" refers to the lack of clarity. A process can be ""somewhat complicated"" due to many steps but not necessarily confusing, and vice versa.