are intended to confound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are intended to confound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is meant to confuse or perplex someone. Example: "The magician's tricks are intended to confound the audience, leaving them in awe of his skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some hoaxes are intended to confound or ridicule the experts; others are intended to parody or burlesque an artist or genre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are intended to start a conversation.

The New York Times - Arts

The restrooms are intended to be free.

The New York Times

These roads are intended to manage congestion.

Independent

Card towers are intended to be fun.

WikiHow

These are intended to convey minor themes.

WikiHow

Use of the PMR (1.28) rather than the SMR (1.89) for lung cancer was intended to reduce confounding by smoking (estimates 66, 67; Harding, 2010 ).

British Journal of Cancer

This is a preliminary investigation, but the evaluation of patients with homogeneous characteristics was intended to minimize any confounding of the outcome.

BioMed Research International

The careful control of potential confounders is intended to minimize bias from reverse causation or unmeasured confounding.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

To mirror the new musical direction that the group took with Achtung Baby, the tour was intended to deviate from their past and confound expectations of the band.

Wikipedia

Where an intervention, such as strengthening, is intended to improve function, simultaneously capturing symptom-based items may confound the magnitude of effect.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are intended to confound", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is designed to cause confusion. This adds clarity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are intended to confound" when a milder term like "challenge" or "question" is more appropriate. Confound implies a deliberate attempt to perplex or frustrate, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are intended to confound" serves as a purpose connector, indicating that the subject is designed or meant to cause confusion or bewilderment. Ludwig identifies this as a valid and understandable expression. For instance, "Some hoaxes are intended to confound or ridicule the experts."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are intended to confound" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a deliberate intention to cause confusion or perplexity. As Ludwig confirms, it is used across various contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, science, and wikis. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent and purposeful. When writing, it's important to consider the connotation of "confound", as it implies a strong intent to perplex, which may not always be appropriate. Alternatives like "aim to bewilder" or "designed to perplex" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the goal of confounding

Stresses the objective and ambition to confuse.

are calculated to confuse

Highlights the planning and deliberation behind the act of confusing someone.

aim to bewilder

Focuses specifically on causing confusion or disorientation.

are engineered to mislead

Emphasizes the careful design and implementation of a plan to deceive.

designed to perplex

Emphasizes the intentional creation of a state of mental uncertainty.

meant to baffle

Highlights the intention to frustrate understanding or progress.

are geared to bewilder

Focuses on how things are organized in order to cause confusion.

intended to thwart

Shifts the focus to actively preventing a goal or outcome.

seek to mislead

Specifies the intent to guide someone towards a false belief.

purposely obfuscate

Implies a deliberate action to make something unclear or unintelligible.

FAQs

What does "are intended to confound" mean?

The phrase "are intended to confound" means that something is deliberately designed or created to confuse, perplex, or frustrate someone's understanding or expectations.

How can I use "are intended to confound" in a sentence?

You can use "are intended to confound" to describe things like misleading information, complex arguments, or artistic choices. For example, "The complex plot twists in the novel are intended to confound the reader's expectations."

What are some alternatives to "are intended to confound"?

Alternatives to "are intended to confound" include "aim to bewilder", "designed to perplex", or "meant to baffle". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say something "are intended to confound"?

Not always. While "are intended to confound" often implies a negative intent (like deception), it can also describe a deliberate artistic or intellectual choice to challenge assumptions or provoke thought. For example, in art, the goal might be to make the audience question their preconceptions.