What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overdetermined
Example
Her fear of dogs was overdetermined by her childhood trauma and her current anxiety disorder. [overdetermined: adjective]
Example
The outcome of the experiment was overdetermined by the numerous variables involved. [overdetermined: verb]
complicated
Example
The instructions for assembling the furniture were too complicated for me to follow. [complicated: adjective]
Example
The political situation in the country is very complicated, with many different factions vying for power. [complicated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Complicated is more commonly used than overdetermined in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overdetermined and complicated?
Both overdetermined and complicated can be used in formal and informal contexts, but overdetermined may be more commonly used in technical or academic writing.
