a confusing multitude of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a confusing multitude of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or a collection of things that is overwhelming or difficult to understand due to its complexity or variety. Example: "The conference featured a confusing multitude of topics, making it hard for attendees to choose which sessions to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A confusing multitude of acronyms denoting these two enzymes can be found in the literature, whereof Aro (for Arsenite oxidase) and Arr (for Arsenate reductase) appear as the most sensible couple of acronyms to us.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To get an overview over the sometimes confusing multitude of actins and Arps, we analyzed the Dictyostelium discoideum actinome in detail and compared it with the genomes from other model organisms.

Plosone

Homelessness is a result of a multitude of issues.

The New York Times

We have a case with a multitude of defendants.

The New York Times

Living for an eternity covers a multitude of sins.

Huffington Post

It makes for a confusing mixture of compromise and inflexibility.

The Economist

Today the Forum is a confusing boneyard of history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rather, it is a confusing collection of policies and regulations.

The Economist

Symptomatic tandem stenosis can present with a confusing scenario of both neurogenic claudication and myelopathy symptoms.

The Spine Journal

This ultimately left a confusing legacy of dimensional concepts and practices in physics.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

There is a vast multitude of "lost" Russian classics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a confusing multitude of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the confusion. Be specific about the source of the complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "a confusing multitude of" when a simpler phrase like "many" or "several" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a confusing multitude of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying and characterizing a noun. It modifies the noun by indicating that there is a large quantity and that this quantity causes confusion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a confusing multitude of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, though it appears relatively infrequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes something complex and overwhelming. It is mostly found in news and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context warrants the level of complexity it implies and to avoid overuse in simple situations. Alternatives like "a perplexing array of" or "an overwhelming number of" may be more appropriate depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perplexing array of

Replaces "confusing multitude" with synonyms that emphasize the bewildering nature of the collection.

a bewildering variety of

Focuses on the diverse and disorienting nature of the items or concepts.

an overwhelming number of

Highlights the sheer quantity and potentially burdensome effect.

a complex assortment of

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted composition.

a tangled web of

Suggests an interconnected and complicated situation.

a labyrinthine collection of

Uses a metaphor to convey the feeling of getting lost within the group.

a perplexing accumulation of

Similar to "confusing multitude" but replaces the word "multitude" to describe the collection

a head-spinning range of

Focuses on the dizzying effect of the diversity or quantity.

a disorienting jumble of

Highlights the lack of order and the resulting confusion.

a chaotic mix of

Emphasizes the lack of order and the potentially disruptive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "a confusing multitude of" in a sentence?

You can use "a confusing multitude of" to describe an overwhelming number or variety of items or ideas that cause confusion. For instance, "The instructions contained a confusing multitude of steps, making it difficult to assemble the product correctly".

What are some alternatives to "a confusing multitude of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a perplexing array of", "a bewildering variety of", or "an overwhelming number of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "confusing multitude" or "complex variety"?

The choice between "confusing multitude" and "complex variety" depends on the context. "Confusing multitude" emphasizes the difficulty in understanding due to the large number, while "complex variety" simply highlights the intricate and diverse nature.

What makes the phrase "a confusing multitude of" effective?

The phrase is effective because it succinctly conveys both the abundance and the resulting bewilderment or difficulty in comprehension. It's more descriptive than simply saying "many" or "a lot of".