a perplexing number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perplexing number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is confusing or difficult to understand in a particular context. Example: "The survey revealed a perplexing number of respondents who preferred the old design over the new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As dream sequences collide with musical theater, and the agitated shade of a dead girl reappears as the daughter of David's unlikely Palestinian lover, "Forgiveness" juggles a perplexing number of themes, philosophies and aesthetics.

The New York Times

On a few of this album's early songs, a perplexing number of digital effects are applied to Ms. Underwood's vocals, processing she neither needs nor benefits from, even if it is par for the course for other country singers.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That was a perplexing turn of events.

The New York Times

The complexity of the DNA sequence and functional relationships in centromeres becomes even more perplexing as a growing number of recent reports indicate roles for centromere DNA transcripts in centromere structure and function.

Chromosoma

A number of perplexing moral questions arise in the measurement of the disease burden associated with stillbirth.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Researchers at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) at Tsukuba, Japan, and the BaBar Experiment at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), Menlo Park, Calif., discovered a number of new perplexing particles, including the Y 3940) and the Y(4260).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is perplexing that despite having such a large number of CBF-like genes, cassava is unable to withstand freezing temperatures.

BMC Plant Biology

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a perplexing number of" when you want to emphasize the confusing or difficult-to-understand nature of a quantity. This phrasing adds a layer of intrigue or challenge to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a perplexing number of" when describing straightforward quantities. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or confusing, instead of adding a nuanced layer of meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perplexing number of" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the noun as having a quality that causes confusion or difficulty in understanding. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a perplexing number of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, albeit with a relatively low frequency of occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of confusion or difficulty in understanding a quantity and is used across diverse contexts such as news, media and scientific publications.

While alternatives like "a confusing amount of" or "a baffling quantity of" may be considered for similar effect, "a perplexing number of" adds a unique nuance suitable for formal writing when used judiciously. It is crucial to avoid its application in simplistic scenarios to prevent diluting its descriptive power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a confusing amount of

Replaces 'perplexing' with 'confusing', focusing on the lack of clarity.

a baffling quantity of

Substitutes 'perplexing' with 'baffling', emphasizing the incomprehensibility.

an enigmatic number of

Replaces 'perplexing' with 'enigmatic', highlighting the mysterious nature.

a puzzling quantity of

Uses 'puzzling' instead of 'perplexing', suggesting a challenge to understand.

a mystifying amount of

Replaces 'perplexing' with 'mystifying', indicating bewilderment and confusion.

an incomprehensible number of

Emphasizes the lack of understanding by using 'incomprehensible'.

a bewildering number of

Highlights the confusion caused by the quantity using 'bewildering'.

a complicated amount of

Indicates difficulty in understanding due to complexity, using 'complicated'.

an intricate quantity of

Suggests a complex and detailed nature making the quantity difficult to grasp, using 'intricate'.

a thorny number of

Implies that dealing with the quantity is problematic and challenging, using 'thorny'.

FAQs

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

Use "a perplexing number of" when you want to emphasize confusion or difficulty in understanding a particular quantity. For example, "There were "a perplexing number of" discrepancies in the financial report".

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

You can use alternatives like "a confusing amount of", "a baffling quantity of", or "an enigmatic number of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a perplexing number of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a perplexing number of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing complex or unclear data. However, ensure that the tone remains appropriate for the context. Consider alternatives like "a complicated amount of" if a less dramatic tone is needed.

What's the difference between "a perplexing number of" and "a surprising number of"?

"A perplexing number of" emphasizes confusion and difficulty in understanding, while "a surprising number of" indicates astonishment or unexpectedness. The former focuses on the complexity, while the latter focuses on the unexpected nature of the quantity.