difficult-to-predict complications

English translation: It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	difficult-to-predict complications
Selected answer:	It's precise even though the structure is clumsy
Entered by:	Piotr Fras

11:22 Jun 20, 2007

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Medical: Cardiology

English term or phrase: difficult-to-predict complications

Could you check and edit this sentence, if necessary:
"Nevertheless, the case presented herein indicates a possibility of difficult-to-predict complications as well as the necessity of using specialist equipment and surgical standby."
Thanks in advance

Piotr Fras
Poland

It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

Explanation:
The author is trying to avoid the word "unpredictable" here, because prediction is possible in some cases. "Inaccessible" presents the same problem. If I have to translate the Russian word "труднодоступный", in an informal text I might use "inaccessible", but where precision is required, e.g. in a patent, I would have to translate it literally as "difficult of access", even though I think this sounds clumsy in English.

Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:46

Grading comment

I agree with you. Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

3 +6

unforeseeable

CJG (X)

4 +2

hard to anticipate OR unexpected problems

Michael Powers (PhD)

3 +2

It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

Jack Doughty

hard-to-estimate

Cagdas Karatas

Answers

2 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

hard to anticipate OR unexpected problems

Explanation:
I believe this is what is meant.

Mike :)

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 01:46
Native speaker of: English

2 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

unforeseeable

Explanation:
Just a thought

CJG (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 07:46
Native speaker of:

English

6 mins confidence:

hard-to-estimate

Explanation:
hard-to-estimate complications

Cagdas Karatas
Türkiye
Local time: 08:46
Native speaker of: Turkish
PRO pts in category: 4

23 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:46
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

Grading comment

I agree with you. Thanks!

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difficult-to-predict complications

English translation: It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

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English translation: It's precise even though the structure is clumsy

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