unforeseen complication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen complication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected issue or problem that arises during a process or situation. Example: "The project was going smoothly until we encountered an unforeseen complication that delayed our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Yet another unforeseen complication!

The New Yorker

An unforeseen complication of meeting so many wang hong at once was that it was hard to keep them all straight.

The New Yorker

There arose a terrible and unforeseen complication on our trip: One of the neighbors we were traveling with also had a head cold.

The New York Times

Another unforeseen complication is the funeral on Saturday of Gordon B. Hinckley, president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City.

The New York Times

Ismail Douiri, co-CEO of Morocco's Attijariwafa Bank, identified an unforeseen complication with having a bank account in Morocco: "Rather than seeing it as a status symbol, people in our focus groups did not want to tell their neighbours, because if they look potentially rich they then have the pressure to lend to others".

The Guardian

Hiding the goods for collection at a later date seemed like a reasonable precaution, but the pair hadn't anticipated this unforeseen complication: Wildman was back at the stash site, and he couldn't find the Chinese antiques.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Barring unforeseen complications, they could complete their quest early next week.

The New York Times - Sports

It will run a minute or so behind the surgery in case of any unforeseen complications.

The Guardian

That raises the risk of unforeseen complications affecting generations to come.

The Guardian

There were unforeseen complications with the procedure, so it was completed over two emotionally agonising days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Sorenson acknowledged that he had run up against several unforeseen complications, small and large, during the planning process.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unforeseen complication", ensure the context clearly establishes the original plan or expectation that the complication disrupts. This provides necessary contrast and emphasizes the unexpected nature of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen complication" as a vague substitute for specific problems. Replace it with a precise description of the issue to enhance clarity and provide more informative content. For example, instead of saying "the project faced an unforeseen complication", specify "the project was delayed due to a supplier's bankruptcy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen complication" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and can be used to describe an unexpected issue or problem that arises during a process or situation. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing unexpected problems in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen complication" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an unexpected problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, making it appropriate for both neutral and professional settings. While it's useful for generally indicating an unexpected problem, it's best practice to follow it with a description about the actual complication to give clarity and precision to your writing. Remember also that other choices such as "unexpected difficulty" or "unanticipated problem" could be semantically interchangeable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected difficulty

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the difficulty, without explicitly stating it's a complication.

unanticipated problem

Highlights the lack of anticipation of the problem, similar to 'unforeseen'.

surprise obstacle

Emphasizes the unexpected and obstructive nature of the issue.

unexpected setback

Indicates a hindrance to progress that was not anticipated.

unpredicted issue

Similar to 'unforeseen', but uses 'issue' instead of 'complication'.

chance hindrance

Implies that the obstacle is caused by change and is not predictable.

sudden snag

Suggests a small, unexpected problem.

unlooked-for hitch

Hitch implies a temporary problem. Unlooked-for is another term of unexpected.

surprise predicament

Predicament suggests a more difficult situation, but still unexpected.

adverse twist

Suggests the situation is bad due to the new element added.

FAQs

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

Use "unforeseen complication" to describe an unexpected problem that arises during a project, plan, or process. For example, "The surgery was successful, but the patient experienced an "unforeseen complication" during recovery".

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen complication"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected difficulty", "unanticipated problem", or "surprise obstacle" depending on the context.

Is "unforeseen complication" formal or informal?

"Unforeseen complication" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider alternatives like "unanticipated problem" for a slightly more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "unforeseen complication" and "unexpected challenge"?

While both refer to unanticipated issues, "unforeseen complication" typically implies a problem that makes something more difficult or complex. "Unexpected challenge" is a broader term that can refer to any new or difficult task or situation that arises.