I find it perplexing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I find it perplexing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express confusion or surprise about something. Example: "I find it perplexing that she always arrives late to work, despite her claiming to be a punctual person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But I feel the same way about The Seldom Seen Kid as I did about its three predecessors, and I find it perplexing that they are seen as purveyors of classy, literate, emotional, grown-up rock while Coldplay are routinely reviled for being pompous, portentous and angstily adolescent, when really, I find it hard to tell them apart.

The Guardian - Music

"I find it perplexing the way the 'moral values' phrase is used," said the Rev. Mark Greiner, the pastor at the Presbyterian church that Ward attends.

The New York Times

So far the government has taken a hard-line stance and I find it perplexing.

BBC

As a physician, technology geek and mother, I find it perplexing that one area of healthcare that has not yet been penetrated by electronic devices is hand hygiene.

Huffington Post

I live in Trentino, and I find it perplexing that some city folk should tell me how to live in my mountains.

Vice

I don't want to sound like I am defending addicts, but I find it perplexing that there is still an arms-length approach from the authorities for helping long-term addicts.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Otherwise, these people may struggle to know the "real you" and find it perplexing that your thoughts and ideas seem to shift for no reason.

WikiHow

The indie kids who had paid a very reasonable £13 entrance fee clearly found it perplexing.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. Villacorta's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, said after the verdict was announced in State Supreme Court in Manhattan that he found it perplexing.

The New York Times

McAndrew, meanwhile, found it perplexing.

Vice

One night we were talking about her work and she said she found it perplexing when her friends said they were worried about her, as though she didn't understand the risks of her profession.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I find it perplexing" to express mild confusion or bemusement in situations where you want to maintain a polite and somewhat detached tone. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I find it perplexing" excessively in very formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, consider stronger alternatives like "I am puzzled by" or "I struggle to comprehend" for more impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I find it perplexing" primarily functions as a statement expressing the speaker's confusion or inability to understand something. Ludwig examples showcase this use in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I find it perplexing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey mild confusion or bemusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general discussions. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone. When a more formal tone is desired, alternatives such as "I am puzzled by" can be considered. The primary contexts for this phrase are News & Media, Wiki, and Science. Overall, "I find it perplexing" is a reliable and versatile way to express a lack of understanding or surprise in a polite and detached manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm puzzled by it

Emphasizes the speaker's confusion, focusing on their mental state.

I'm confused by this

Directly expresses a lack of understanding.

I'm baffled by it

Indicates a strong sense of being unable to understand something.

I'm mystified by that

Suggests something is mysterious and difficult to explain.

It's beyond my comprehension

Highlights the inability to grasp the meaning or nature of something.

I'm at a loss to explain it

Indicates an inability to provide a reason or understanding for something.

I don't understand why

A straightforward expression of confusion about the reason for something.

It doesn't make sense to me

Expresses a lack of logical coherence or clarity.

I'm struggling to understand

Highlights the effort involved in trying to comprehend something.

I find it hard to fathom

Indicates difficulty in deeply understanding or grasping the meaning of something.

FAQs

How can I use "I find it perplexing" in a sentence?

You can use "I find it perplexing" to express mild confusion or surprise about something. For example, "I find it perplexing that the project was delayed despite having ample resources".

What's a more formal alternative to "I find it perplexing"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "I am puzzled by", "I am mystified by", or "I struggle to comprehend" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What can I say instead of "I find it perplexing" in a casual conversation?

In a casual setting, you could say "I'm confused by this", "I don't get it", or "I'm baffled by it".

Is "I find it perplexing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I find it perplexing" is grammatically correct. It follows a standard subject-verb-object structure where "I" is the subject, "find" is the verb, "it" is the object, and "perplexing" is an adjective describing "it".