superfluous complexity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "superfluous complexity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe unnecessary or excessive complexity in a situation, process, or system. Example: "The project's superfluous complexity made it difficult for the team to meet deadlines and achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Updated: After careful consideration, I'm retracting my B and replacing it with a C-, penalizing Facebook for superfluous complexity and a lack of transparency.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In addition, BreastMark can act as a powerful reductionist approach to these more complex gene signatures, eliminating superfluous genes, potentially reducing the cost and complexity of these multi-index assays.

Breast Cancer Research

For the most part, though, he artfully unspools his plot's complexities, and seemingly superfluous details come to connect in remarkable ways.

The New York Times - Books

But these more basic machine learning algorithms work well enough for many applications, making the additional complexity of deep learning models often superfluous.

TechCrunch

I am unaware of any irreconcilable conflict between scientific knowledge about evolution and the idea of a creator God; why couldn't God have used the mechanism of evolution to create?" Here is the easy answer: Because the mechanism of evolution explain life's history and complexity without any need to invoke god; he becomes superfluous, a desperate add-on.

Huffington Post

Cognitive load theory postulates three types of cognitive load: (a) intrinsic load is the net result of task complexity and the learner expertise; (b) extraneous load is caused by superfluous processes that do not directly contribute to learning; (c) germane load is accounted by learning processes handling intrinsic cognitive load [ 7].

BMC Medical Education

Likewise, sample questions for the third-grade math test, which are intended to measure greater complexity in thinking, looked to me like basic word problems with lots of superfluous words.

The New York Times

In the low-key contexts of many of these movies, whether they are about young urbanite confusion (as in Andrew Bujalski's films) or hardscrabble lives (as in Ramin Bahrani's), narrative machinations are, often rightly, seen as superfluous or jarring, at odds with characters and social worlds that are portrayed in all their lifelike complexity.

The New York Times

Superfluous, indeed.

The New York Times - Arts

Superfluous man.

The New York Times

This seems superfluous.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, actively seek out and eliminate "superfluous complexity" in your writing or explanations. Prioritize simplicity and directness to improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid adding layers of detail or jargon that do not contribute to the core message. "Superfluous complexity" can confuse your audience and obscure your intended meaning. Always consider your audience's knowledge level and tailor your explanation accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "superfluous complexity" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "superfluous" modifies the noun "complexity". It describes a state of being excessively or unnecessarily complicated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct in the English language.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "superfluous complexity" describes situations where things are unnecessarily complicated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. It serves to point out inefficiencies and advocate for simplification across news, science and formal writing. When writing, aim to clarify and simplify to prevent "superfluous complexity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary complication

Focuses on the aspect of complication being not needed.

redundant complexity

Highlights the duplication or repetition in the complexity.

excessive intricacy

Emphasizes the extreme level of detail that is beyond what's required.

needless sophistication

Implies the sophistication is not justified or beneficial.

gratuitous complication

Suggests the complication is uncalled for and perhaps even detrimental.

unwarranted complexity

Indicates the complexity lacks a valid reason or justification.

otiose complexity

Uses a more formal term to describe complexity that serves no practical purpose.

inessential complexity

Highlights the non-essential nature of the complexity.

extraneous complexity

Focuses on the addition of elements that are not relevant or essential to the core.

over-engineered intricacy

Implies the intricacy is a result of excessive design or effort beyond what's necessary.

FAQs

How can I identify "superfluous complexity" in a project?

Look for steps, features, or elements that don't directly contribute to the main goal or outcome. If removing them doesn't significantly impact the result, they likely represent "superfluous complexity".

What are some alternatives to saying "superfluous complexity"?

You can use alternatives like "unnecessary complication", "redundant complexity", or "excessive intricacy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "superfluous complexity" always a bad thing?

While often detrimental, complexity isn't always negative. The term "superfluous complexity" implies it is unnecessary and adds no value. Sometimes complexity is inherent to a subject, but strive to avoid adding to it if unneeded.

How does "superfluous complexity" affect communication?

It hinders clear communication by adding unnecessary steps or information that can confuse or overwhelm the audience. Simplifying and removing "unnecessary detail" helps ensure your message is easily understood.