cause bewilderment

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause bewilderment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that has caused someone confusion or shock. Example: "The news of his sudden death caused bewilderment among his friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

My frequent inability to recognize schoolmates would cause bewilderment, and sometimes offense — it did not occur to them (why should it?) that I had a perceptual problem.

The New Yorker

My frequent inability to recognize schoolmates would cause bewilderment, and sometimes offense it did not occur to them (why should it?) that I had a perceptual problem.

The New Yorker

If they believed him to be a small child, then telling them truthfully that he was out of town at a medical conference, say, would cause bewilderment or suspicion; but if they believed their son to be a college student, telling them that he was playing in the garden would also be a mistake.

The New Yorker

Without an example for ICBC to follow in China's current economic downturn, the process of seeking transformation will inevitably cause bewilderment.

Financial Innovation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The claim of Catholic aggression caused bewilderment.

The Economist

The G.D.P. numbers caused bewilderment among some economists, including Andrew Goodwin of Ernst & Young's economic forecasting unit, the ITEM Club.

The New York Times

The British gross domestic product numbers caused bewilderment among some economists, including Andrew Goodwin of Ernst & Young's economic forecasting unit, the Item Club.

The New York Times

An old girlfriend of mine - now she was proper posh - caused bewilderment and mirth in the backs of taxis: why did she always talk about "cheese mites" to the drivers?

The Guardian - Opinion

They may have the album, they may well know the songs, but the sight of the London Metropolitan Orchestra setting up at the back of the stage still causes bewilderment among the riotous beer boys at the front of the stage.

Independent

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's attacks this week on an unarmed black man shot dead by the police are causing bewilderment among members of his own party, who say they are concerned about Mr. Giuliani's temperament and the tenor of his United States Senate campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The New York Times

It has been a cause of bewilderment and sometimes strife and frustration within me.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause bewilderment", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is creating the confusion. For example, "The sudden policy change caused bewilderment among the employees."

Common error

Avoid vagueness in identifying the source of bewilderment. Ensure it's clear what is causing the confusion, not just that bewilderment exists. For example, instead of "Bewilderment ensued", specify "The ambiguous instructions caused bewilderment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause bewilderment" functions as a causative expression, indicating that something brings about a state of confusion or perplexity. Ludwig provides examples showing how various situations or actions can lead to this state of mind.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause bewilderment" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something is the reason for someone's confusion. Though relatively rare, according to Ludwig's examples, it's found in reputable sources across News & Media and Science. The phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for different contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify the source of the bewilderment, which is a helpful usage tip. Overall, it's a correct and usable expression to effectively convey the source of confusion in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse bewilderment

Focuses on the act of stirring up bewilderment, rather than directly causing it.

generate confusion

Emphasizes the creation of a state of confusion, similar to causing bewilderment.

create perplexity

Highlights the creation of a state of being puzzled or uncertain.

induce bafflement

Focuses on bringing about a state of utter confusion and frustration.

foster incomprehension

Emphasizes the encouragement of a lack of understanding.

provoke mystification

Highlights the act of stirring up a sense of mystery and confusion.

lead to disorientation

Focuses on causing a loss of bearings, either physical or mental.

instigate confusion

Highlights the action of initiating a state of disorder or lack of clarity.

precipitate puzzlement

Emphasizes the suddenness with which a state of being puzzled arises.

spark incredulity

Focuses on triggering a state of disbelief, often intertwined with bewilderment.

FAQs

How can I use "cause bewilderment" in a sentence?

Use "cause bewilderment" to indicate that something is the reason someone is confused. For example, "The complex plot twists "caused bewilderment" among viewers".

What are some alternatives to "cause bewilderment"?

You can use alternatives like "arouse bewilderment", "generate confusion", or "create perplexity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "cause bewilderment" and "cause amazement"?

"Cause bewilderment" refers to creating confusion or puzzlement, while "cause amazement" refers to creating a feeling of great surprise or wonder. The former implies a lack of understanding, while the latter implies admiration or astonishment.

Is it better to say "cause bewilderment" or "caused bewilderment"?

The correct form depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "cause bewilderment" for present or future tense, and "caused bewilderment" for past tense. For example, "The new policy will cause bewilderment" versus "The old policy "caused bewilderment"".