a perplexing collection of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perplexing collection of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of items, ideas, or phenomena that are confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The museum displayed a perplexing collection of artifacts from ancient civilizations that left visitors in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Shayne Oliver, the designer of Hood by Air, presented a wide-ranging and perplexing collection that included dress shirts printed with a mug-shot image of Marilyn Manson, denim jackets and possibly pants with multiple zip-away panels, and, why not, a dress.

The New York Times

The ingenue of this perplexing collection's title is the mercurial Eleanor Stoddard, introduced in the first story as a schoolgirl obsessed with Anne Frank.

The New York Times - Books

That was a perplexing turn of events.

The New York Times

This is a perplexing bundle of criticisms.

The New Yorker

What you see is a perplexing panorama of contradictions.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, as Nikiya, Diana Vishneva delivered a perplexing mixture of devout beauty and lack of focus.

The New York Times - Arts

In recent days Iran has sent a perplexing series of conflicting signals.

The New York Times

"The Ring Two" is a perplexing compound of the silly and the glum.

The New Yorker

And for many people, social phobia is still experienced as a perplexing series of private defeats.

The New York Times - Health

Jeremy bravely hung in there, offering analysis in the face of a perplexing barrage of results.

BBC

More often the public is benumbed by an unfathomable depth of detail and a perplexing array of claims.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a perplexing collection of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the perplexity. Provide specific examples or details to illustrate the confusing or complicated nature of the collection.

Common error

Avoid using "a perplexing collection of" as a generic descriptor. Always specify what makes the collection perplexing; otherwise, the phrase becomes vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase modifying a noun phrase. "A perplexing collection of" functions to describe the nature of the collection, indicating that it is confusing or difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perplexing collection of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a group of items or ideas that are confusing or difficult to understand. Although Ludwig AI validates its usage, it is relatively infrequent in occurrence, so there is little statistics about its contexts. When you use the phrase in your writing, ensure to provide enough context about what makes it perplexing. Alternative phrases such as "a puzzling assortment of" or "an enigmatic array of" offer similar connotations, but the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overuse and ensure context to make the most of it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bewildering selection of

Replaces "perplexing" with "bewildering" and "collection" with "selection", emphasizing the disorienting nature of the choice.

a puzzling assortment of

Replaces "perplexing" with "puzzling" and "collection" with "assortment", emphasizing the mysterious nature of the group.

an enigmatic array of

Substitutes "perplexing" with "enigmatic" and "collection" with "array", highlighting the mysterious and difficult-to-interpret aspect of the items.

a mystifying accumulation of

Substitutes "perplexing" with "mystifying" and "collection" with "accumulation", highlighting the mysterious and gradual increase of the items.

a baffling compilation of

Replaces "perplexing" with "baffling" and "collection" with "compilation", stressing the bewildering nature of the group.

a confusing mix of

Substitutes "perplexing collection" with "confusing mix", simplifying the phrasing while retaining the sense of bewilderment.

a strange assortment of

Replaces "perplexing" with "strange" for a less formal tone, suggesting oddity rather than pure confusion.

a curious gathering of

Replaces "perplexing" with "curious" suggesting intrigue along with confusion, and "collection" with "gathering".

a complicated set of

Emphasizes the complexity rather than the confusing nature, by replacing "perplexing collection" with "complicated set".

an intricate combination of

Focuses on the complex interrelation of items, rather than just their confusing nature by substituting for the whole phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a perplexing collection of" in a sentence?

You can use "a perplexing collection of" to describe a group of items, ideas, or phenomena that are confusing or difficult to understand. For example: "The museum displayed "a perplexing collection of" artifacts from ancient civilizations."

What are some alternatives to "a perplexing collection of"?

Alternatives include "a puzzling assortment of", "an enigmatic array of", or "a baffling compilation of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes "a perplexing collection of" different from "a confusing collection of"?

"Perplexing" suggests a deeper level of complexity and mystery than "confusing". While "confusing" implies disorientation, "perplexing" suggests something that is difficult to resolve or understand even after careful consideration.

Is "a perplexing collection of" formal or informal?

The phrase "a perplexing collection of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in academic papers, news articles, or casual conversations.