that appears complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that appears complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that seems difficult to understand or intricate. Example: "The math problem that appears complicated can actually be solved with a simple formula."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The teleology problem as in (2) persists, however, and I focus here on a case study of Wu Chinese high vowel fricativization (HVF) that appears to complicate this point as well.

University of California, Berkeley

A previous report showed that fractured UBCs frequently appear complicated on MR imaging, with heterogeneous fluid signals and regions of nodular and thick peripheral enhancement related to pathologic fracture and early healing [ 17].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

It has been shown that, although time results may appear complicated, the arrival of various pulses at the receivers can be understood in terms of the travelling body pulses and guided waves.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Words like forgiveness, tolerance, compassion, and acceptance are not new to us, but there may be some uncertainty as to how to apply these concepts to our daily life in today's world, a world that appears to be getting more congested, complicated, full of twists and turns, and progressing at what seems like the speed of light.

Huffington Post

Boris Johnson has been criticised for making a misleading statement about a British-Iranian woman serving a five-year jail term in Iran, in comments that appear to have complicated her legal case.

The Guardian

Even when making the case that the tax code is too complicated ― an argument that appears to naturally resonate with many taxpayers ― Republicans are using a sales pitch that glosses over the facts.

Huffington Post

Presidential candidates can appeal to certain impulses advocating returning to a place in time that appeared less complicated, but those aren't times in which we live.

Huffington Post

Since the first Eurobond, there have been a myriad of variations on that basic theme, primarily complicated swaps that appeared in 1982.

The New York Times

They worry that appearing to boast of it could seriously complicate their work lives.

The New York Times

The basic structure of our design is actually quite simple despite the fact that it appears to be complicated at first glance.

Cornell University

Interestingly, MVO2 among groups was similar even in the presence of increased cardiac work in the metabolically complicated groups suggesting that metabolically complicated groups appeared to be more efficient in generating energy per unit of MVO2; however, this was not a significant trend among groups (p = 0.10).

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that appears complicated", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being observed or assessed. Use it to introduce a topic that seems complex at first glance but may have underlying simplicity.

Common error

Avoid using "that appears complicated" as a substitute for more precise descriptions. Instead of simply stating something appears complicated, identify specific aspects that contribute to this perception. For instance, specify whether it's the structure, the process, or the underlying principles that are complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that appears complicated" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun. It provides additional information by expressing a perceived characteristic. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that appears complicated" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe something that seems complex upon initial observation. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's crucial to use it judiciously and ensure it accurately reflects the perceived complexity. Consider alternatives like "that seems intricate" or "that looks complex" for varied expression. Always aim for clarity and precision in your descriptions, avoiding vagueness. Though there were no perfect matches in the provided data, Ludwig suggests the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, especially when introducing a topic that may have underlying simplicity despite initial appearances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems intricate

Replaces "appears complicated" with "seems intricate", focusing on the visual complexity.

that looks complex

Substitutes "appears complicated" with "looks complex", emphasizing visual perception of complexity.

that gives the impression of being complex

Rephrases "appears complicated" to highlight the impression of complexity, adding more descriptive language.

which seems difficult

Replaces "appears complicated" with "seems difficult", shifting the focus to the perceived difficulty.

that is seemingly intricate

Uses "seemingly intricate" instead of "appears complicated", emphasizing the surface-level intricacy.

which presents as complex

Replaces "appears complicated" with "presents as complex", focusing on how something is presented or perceived.

that has a complicated facade

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the outer appearance (facade) that suggests complexity.

that is deceptively complex

Adds the element of deception, suggesting it may not actually be as complicated as it seems.

that simulates difficulty

Focuses on the simulation of difficulty, implying that the complexity might be artificially created.

that projects intricacy

Highlights how something intentionally shows intricacy, potentially for a specific purpose or effect.

FAQs

What does "that appears complicated" mean?

The phrase "that appears complicated" suggests something seems difficult to understand or solve, often based on initial observation. It implies a perception of complexity that may or may not be accurate upon closer inspection.

How can I replace "that appears complicated" in my writing?

Consider using alternatives like "that seems intricate", "that looks complex", or "that seems difficult" to add nuance or clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that appears complicated"?

Yes, "that appears complicated" is grammatically correct. It uses a relative pronoun ("that") to introduce a clause describing something's perceived complexity.

What is the difference between "that appears complicated" and "that is complicated"?

"That appears complicated" suggests an initial impression of complexity, while "that is complicated" states complexity as a fact. The former implies a subjective assessment, while the latter suggests an objective truth.