as perplexed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as perplexed as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's level of confusion or bewilderment to that of another person or situation. Example: "After hearing the unexpected news, she was as perplexed as her colleagues, who were equally taken aback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Other Americans, it seemed, were as perplexed as me.

The New York Times

The agency was as perplexed as anybody by Mr. Oswald.

The New York Times

Lewis's ex-­girlfriend is as perplexed as Virgil by his decision to abandon the academy.

The New York Times - Books

I started out as perplexed as I ever was about this enigma, this almost entirely obscured woman.

The New York Times

Mr. Kil said that no one from his store had anything to do with the powder, and that he was just as perplexed as everyone else.

The New York Times

For the most part, though, Hide Now leaves me as perplexed as Dylan's Mr Jones - I know something's happening, but I don't know what it is.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

At times the forest guides are clearly as perplexed about directions as the team, looping round in ever-widening circles in search of a way across the maze of folded valleys, often climbing up and down one punishing ridge after another in order to make headway.

The Guardian

Were you just as perplexed?

The New York Times

Erickson was just as perplexed.

The New York Times - Sports

This also amplifies the horror, leaving readers just as perplexed about what is afflicting Tim.

The Economist

I asked Meyers Drysdale about it, too, and she was just as perplexed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as perplexed as" to draw a direct comparison between the confusion or bewilderment experienced by two or more parties, enhancing clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as perplexed as" when you only want to express personal confusion without comparing to anyone else. Instead, simply state 'I am perplexed' or 'I feel perplexed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as perplexed as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to equate the level of bewilderment or confusion experienced by different subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sports

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as perplexed as" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase that emphasizes shared confusion or bewilderment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various examples across news, books, and sports contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can be used in both formal and informal settings. When using the phrase, ensure you are drawing a direct comparison and that a simpler expression such as "I am perplexed" is not more appropriate. Consider alternatives such as "equally bewildered" or "just as confused" to enhance your writing's precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as confused

Emphasizes the similarity in confusion level using 'confused' instead of 'perplexed'.

as bewildered as

Emphasizes the comparison using 'bewildered' instead of 'perplexed'.

equally puzzled

Focuses on the state of being equally puzzled, emphasizing the similarity in confusion level.

equally bewildered

Focuses on the state of being equally bewildered, emphasizing the similarity in confusion level.

as mystified as

Substitutes 'perplexed' with 'mystified', indicating a state of being deeply puzzled.

similarly baffled

Uses 'baffled' to convey a similar meaning of being perplexed or puzzled.

as stumped as

Indicates a similar level of being unable to understand or solve something.

no less puzzled

Indicates that the level of puzzlement is not less than someone else's.

in a similar state of confusion

Describes a state of confusion similar to another, but with a more verbose structure.

as much at a loss as

Conveys a similar meaning of being unsure or not knowing what to do.

FAQs

How can I use "as perplexed as" in a sentence?

Use "as perplexed as" to compare one's confusion to another person or thing. For example, "The scientists were "as perplexed as" the general public about the new findings".

What is a more formal alternative to "as perplexed as"?

While "as perplexed as" is suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives include "equally bewildered" or "similarly mystified". Consider the audience and tone of your writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as perplexed than" instead of "as perplexed as"?

No, "as perplexed than" is grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative structure is "as [adjective] as". Always use "as" in both parts of the comparison.

What's the difference between "as perplexed as" and "confused"?

"Confused" is a general state of not understanding, while "as perplexed as" specifies a comparison. You use "as perplexed as" when you want to emphasize that two or more subjects share the same level of confusion. You can use "just as confused" as alternative.