how complex it is vs how complex is it

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'How complex it is' is used when the subject is already known and the focus is on its complexity. 'How complex is it' is used when the subject is being introduced or emphasized. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1565 views

how complex it is

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when the subject being discussed is already known, and the focus is on its complexity. It is a valid way to inquire about the level of complexity of something.

Examples:

I didn't realize how complex it is to build a computer from scratch.
She explained to me how complex it is to understand quantum physics.
We often underestimate how complex it is to manage a large team.
He described how complex it is to navigate through the city without a map.
The teacher highlighted how complex it is to master a new language.

Show examples from the web [+]

I would like to say that I have been involved in this for quite a long time, and that means I know how complex it is.
Because if you look at a brain with your naked eye, you don't really see how complex it is, but when you use a microscope, finally the hidden complexity is revealed.
We heard from small- and medium-sized enterprises without departments devoted to human resources as to how complex it can be to find the individual that you want and deal with the paperwork, and how long it can take before that person actually starts work.
This just shows how complex the system really is.
But I was surprised by how complex the transition was from military to civilian.
This is how complex the economy we've created is.
I hope that the European Union will take into account how complex this issue is.
That shows how complex the standardization process is.
For two years we have constantly been emphasizing how complex this crisis is.
I had no idea how complex man pants actually were.
When you said it was complex, I don't think I realised just how complex you meant.
performing inspection and audit activities in a complex IT environment,
We have seen how complex our constitutional reform has been, as it was approved only a few weeks ago after heated and difficult debate.
The difference between provisions shows how complex the debate is and raises several questions that merge into one another.
It has no clear idea of how complex this whole matter is.
This is how complex the economy we've created is.
And all of this also means that you can forget about the individual parts of the system, how complex they are.
I heard a lot of diverging opinions, which in itself shows how complex this matter is.
Mr President, I should like to thank everyone for all the contributions, which reflect how complex an issue we are dealing with.
That indicates how complex this is, and on top of it we have the Member States.

Alternatives:

how complex it can be
how complex it seems
how complex it appears
how complex it has become
how complex it has been

how complex is it

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when introducing or emphasizing the complexity of something. It is a valid way to inquire about the level of complexity of a subject that is being discussed.