overly complicated vs too complicated

Both 'overly complicated' and 'too complicated' are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They both convey the idea that something is excessively complex. The choice between them depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 251 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe something that is excessively complex or difficult.

"overly complicated"

It is used to indicate that a situation, task, or explanation is more complicated than necessary.

Examples:

The instructions were overly complicated, making it hard to assemble the furniture.
The legal jargon in the contract was overly complicated for the average person to understand.

Show examples from the web [+]

Vince, it's over budget, overly complicated.
Reassembling an engine following an overhaul is not overly complicated.
The method to account renewable energy from heat pumps should build on best available science, be as accurate as possible, while not being overly complicated and costly to implement.
Setup of the script is not overly complicated, but it is not as easy as using a user interface to set up wallpaper pools.
The Court of Auditors' criticism mainly concerned overly complicated procedures.
In the view of the Commission, the traditional approach of technical measures has led to overly complicated rules that are easily circumvented by the industry, so little will be accomplished by continuing down this route.
It presents an interface that takes a bit of getting used to, without being overly complicated.
However, the process of brewing beer can seem long, tedious, and overly complicated.
We are going through a period of overly complicated, where every day is a race to survive, inundated with daily problems that we are called upon to solve.
The proposed cost reimbursement system will result in a system which is overly complicated and inherently difficult to verify for the Commission.
Can I really argue that the Audi TT was a reaction to the overly complicated ceiling rose of Victorian houses?
2007-11-13 22:16:19 - Goal setting basics - 3 steps plus 1 Goal setting seems to be one of the most misundertood, and overly complicated areas of self-improvement.
We have a budget system that is overly complicated, but my question is: do we need a budget at all?
The most successful scams are those that are not overly complicated, just like the Heart Rate app that tricked iPhone users into authorizing an in-app payment of $89.99 via Touch ID.
Both solutions with modular matrices and with single Digital Signage players (one per monitor) were tested, but they all proved to be overly complicated to manage and subject to problems with synchronisation and quality of the projected image.
Doctor, that sounds frightening and overly complicated.
Your mother and I will take care of anything... overly complicated.
He designed overly complicated subway routes for absolutely no reason.
The 2000-2006 programming period in fact proved that overly complicated rules contributed to the irregularities detected.
I have a theory That phil installs overly complicated things in the house Just so he has an excuse to talk to me like a child.

Alternatives:

excessively complicated
unnecessarily complex
overcomplicated

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey the idea that something is excessively complex or difficult.

"too complicated"

It is used to express that a situation, task, or explanation is more complex than is necessary or desirable.

Examples:

The language used in the manual was too complicated for beginners to understand.
The process of setting up the equipment was too complicated for most users.

Show examples from the web [+]

My plan was too complicated for Herbert.
I don't know, this place is too complicated.
Life on land's become too complicated for my taste.
He said life was "too complicated" or some such.
Things are too complicated with my father.
It's just got too complicated.
It's too complicated to go into now.
Even this problem, too complicated.
And as for intelligence... if it's not too complicated.
That techno-food, it's too complicated for an old fisherman.
I can explain it to you if it's too complicated.
Thank you but you'll find this too complicated.
This is way too complicated for me to explain right now.
That heater - that's too complicated.
Bucky-San, this is too complicated.
If the playbook is too complicated, we simplify it.
Then maybe this relationship is a little too complicated.
I need to talk to these people, because their concept is too complicated.
The thing is, it's too complicated for our kids.
It wouldn't work, the name's too complicated.

Alternatives:

overly complicated
excessively complex
unnecessarily convoluted

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overly complicated vs too complicated