very complicated

USAGE SUMMARY

"very complicated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is intricate and difficult to understand or solve. For example, "The accounting problem turned out to be very complicated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is very complicated.

The Guardian

Things are very complicated.

The Economist

This is very complicated.

The New Yorker

"It's not very complicated.

The New Yorker

Things were very complicated.

The New Yorker

They're very complicated".

The New York Times - Health

"It's also very complicated".

The New York Times

"It was very complicated".

The New York Times - Science

"Ethically it's very complicated.

The Guardian

Being British seems very complicated.

Independent

This could get very complicated.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very complicated", ensure the context provides sufficient details to justify the complexity. Simply stating something is "very complicated" without further explanation can leave the reader feeling uninformed.

Common error

Avoid using "very complicated" as a vague descriptor. Instead, identify the specific elements that contribute to the complexity, such as multiple interacting factors, intricate dependencies, or a lack of clear information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very complicated" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of intricacy or difficulty. Ludwig shows examples in describing situations, systems, or even personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very complicated" is a frequently used adjective phrase to describe something intricate and difficult to understand. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media sources. While its usage is widespread, it's best to provide specific details rather than relying solely on this general descriptor to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "highly intricate" or "exceedingly complex" can add more nuance, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceedingly complex

Substitutes "very" with "exceedingly" and "complicated" with "complex", heightening the sense of intricacy and difficulty.

highly intricate

Replaces "complicated" with "intricate" and "very" with "highly", emphasizing the detailed and elaborate nature of something.

remarkably convoluted

Uses "convoluted" instead of "complicated", suggesting a winding and intricate structure, and "remarkably" for emphasis.

quite involved

Replaces "complicated" with "involved", indicating that something requires significant effort or understanding.

not straightforward

Expresses complexity by stating what it is not, implying that the subject lacks simplicity and directness.

terribly knotty

Substitutes "complicated" with "knotty", suggesting something full of difficulties and intricacies, and "terribly" for emphasis.

decidedly labyrinthine

Emphasizes the confusing and intricate nature using "labyrinthine", evoking the image of a maze, and "decidedly" for emphasis.

exceptionally sophisticated

Uses "sophisticated" instead of "complicated", highlighting the refined and intricate nature of something, and "exceptionally" for emphasis.

a tangled web

Uses a metaphor to describe a situation that is intricately interconnected and confusing.

difficult to unravel

Focuses on the challenge of understanding or solving something, using the verb "unravel".

FAQs

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

You can use "very complicated" to describe situations, processes, or systems that are difficult to understand or manage due to their intricacy. For example, "The tax law is "very complicated"" or "The patient's medical history is "very complicated"".

What are some alternatives to saying "very complicated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "highly intricate", "exceedingly complex", or "remarkably convoluted" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "complicated" or "very complicated"?

Using "very complicated" emphasizes the degree of complexity more strongly than simply saying "complicated". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of intricacy you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "very complicated"?

Avoid using "very complicated" if you can provide more specific details about what makes something complex. Being specific enhances clarity and provides more valuable information to the reader.