as confusing as the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as confusing as the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison to describe something that is equally perplexing or difficult to understand as another thing. Example: "The instructions were as confusing as the last set I received, leaving everyone puzzled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Confusing I know, but not as confusing as the time I once interviewed him here on Inside Health.

BBC

The explanation for this reversal was as confusing as the structure in place for the sport.

The New York Times

The results were just as confusing as the rest of the case.

The New York Times - Magazine

The first time I ate at Frodo's, the food was as confusing as the restaurant's look.

The New York Times

"It's as confusing as the first one, I should say, so it is hard to find the right words".

The New York Times - Sports

Individually these gaffes seem inconsequential, but collectively they are as confusing as the original designs were clear and reassuring.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

As a result, many consumers and analysts say, the new market of keyboardless computers is quickly becoming as confusing as that of the old-school PC. "What's different about this holiday season is that consumers have not just more choice, but really good choices," said Sarah Rotman Epps, who studies consumer computing trends at Forrester.

The New York Times - Tech

Such polling explains why Al Gore campaigned at 2am in Florida on election day in 2000, as confusing as that move was for the opposition at the time.

The Guardian

The irony of giving menopausal women advice as confusing as that would be funny if it were not so serious.

The Guardian - Opinion

But regulatory authority over its members can be as confusing as in the rest of the cruise world, with a network of nations, flags and maritime rules colliding.

The New York Times

(45) Even the participants who sought help for their symptoms were not keen to use HT and it appeared that some of the medical advice was as confusing as that from the media and friends.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as confusing as the", ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience. This strengthens the impact and ensures the reader understands the degree of confusion you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "as confusing as the" without a specific point of comparison. Saying something is "as confusing as the situation" lacks clarity. Be specific. For example: "as confusing as the tax code".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as confusing as the" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by likening its level of confusion to that of a known or understood entity. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as confusing as the" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the degree of difficulty in understanding something, frequently used in News & Media. According to Ludwig AI, it's effective for emphasizing bewilderment by comparing it to something known for its complexity. When using the phrase, ensure the comparison is clear to your audience to maximize its impact. Alternatives like "as perplexing as the" or "as baffling as the" can add nuance. While versatile, specificity in comparisons is key to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as perplexing as the

Replaces "confusing" with a more formal synonym, suggesting something difficult to understand.

as baffling as the

Substitutes "confusing" with a term implying something that completely puzzles or frustrates understanding.

as bewildering as the

Uses a word suggesting a state of extreme confusion and disorientation.

as unclear as the

Focuses on the lack of clarity rather than the mental state of confusion.

as muddled as the

Implies a lack of organization or coherence, leading to confusion.

as obscure as the

Highlights the hidden or vague nature of something, causing difficulty in understanding.

as enigmatic as the

Suggests something mysterious and difficult to interpret, resulting in confusion.

as impenetrable as the

Emphasizes the impossibility of understanding something, suggesting a barrier to comprehension.

as abstruse as the

Uses a formal term to describe something complex and difficult to grasp.

as labyrinthine as the

Compares the confusing subject to a maze, implying complexity and difficulty in finding a clear path.

FAQs

How can I use "as confusing as the" in a sentence?

Use "as confusing as the" to compare something to a well-known source of confusion. For example, "The instructions were "as confusing as the" directions to get to the airport."

What are some alternatives to "as confusing as the"?

You can use alternatives like "as perplexing as the", "as baffling as the", or "as bewildering as the" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "as confusing as the" or "as confused as the"?

"As confusing as the" implies something causes confusion, while "as confused as the" describes a state of being confused. The correct choice depends on what you want to express.

What's the difference between "as confusing as the" and "more confusing than"?

"As confusing as the" indicates an equal level of confusion compared to something else. "More confusing than" implies a greater level of confusion than something else.