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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm perplexed by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(2)

I don't understand

I'm having trouble understanding

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I'm perplexed by you," she says.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm perplexed by what happened in the fifth inning".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

It's all very sleek and luxurious, but I'm perplexed by the layout.

News & Media

The Guardian - Travel

That may sound harsh, but I'm perplexed by your determination to meddle.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm perplexed by the opposite sex," Imani Coppola sings in "Guys Like When Girls Kiss," a song from Little Jackie's debut album, "The Stoop" (S-Curve).

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

After reading William C. Rhoden's "In Harlem, Street Ball Comes of Age" (July 26), I'm perplexed by what "coming of age" means.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I guess I was perplexed by their approach," Mr. Berlin said of the Snyder team.

News & Media

The New York Times

I was perplexed by one term: Queenan refers to a squad of Southern Mafia "vindictatori".

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

As a husband and father of five children, I am perplexed by the open marriage philosophy.

News & Media

The New York Times

I am perplexed by this as I genuinely thought the internet would be an empowering tool for women.

News & Media

Independent

And as to the new particles formed, I am perplexed by their ability to spring into existence after the original particle ceases to exist.

Academia

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm perplexed by" to express confusion or bewilderment about a specific situation or concept. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I'm perplexed by" in extremely formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "I find this puzzling" or "I am uncertain about" in such contexts.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm perplexed by" functions as an expressive statement, indicating the speaker's confusion or bewilderment regarding a particular subject. It serves to communicate a lack of understanding or comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

Formal & Business

Less common in

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I'm perplexed by" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express confusion or bewilderment. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it appears most frequently in News & Media. While not exceptionally common, it's appropriate for various contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "I find this puzzling" in academic settings. Overall, it's a reliable and versatile expression to convey a lack of understanding.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm confused by

A simpler, more direct expression of confusion.

I am puzzled by

A more formal and direct way of expressing confusion.

I am baffled by

Indicates a higher degree of confusion or inability to understand.

I find it confusing

Shifts the focus to the thing causing confusion rather than the speaker's state.

I'm having trouble understanding

Similar to struggling, but perhaps less intense.

I don't understand

A straightforward statement of lack of comprehension.

I'm struggling to understand

Indicates an active effort to comprehend something that is difficult.

I'm mystified by

Suggests a sense of wonder and intrigue in addition to confusion.

I'm at a loss to explain

Highlights the inability to provide a reason or justification.

It's beyond my comprehension

Emphasizes the complexity or difficulty of understanding something.

FAQs

What does "I'm perplexed by" mean?

It means you are confused or bewildered by something. It expresses a state of mild to moderate confusion.

What can I say instead of "I'm perplexed by"?

You can use alternatives like "I am puzzled by", "I'm confused by", or "I don't understand depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "I'm perplexed by" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "I find this puzzling" or "I am uncertain about". These alternatives may be more suitable for academic or professional settings.

How to use "I'm perplexed by" in a sentence?

You can use it to express confusion about a specific topic or situation. For example: "I'm perplexed by the new policy changes."

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm perplexed byGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm perplexed by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples