causes bewilderment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causes bewilderment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, action, or statement that creates confusion or puzzlement for someone. Example: "The sudden change in policy causes bewilderment among the employees, who are unsure of how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Financial Innovation

This caused some bewilderment.

The Guardian - Books

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 "causes bewilderment", ensure that the subject clearly leads to a state of confusion or perplexity in the object. For example, "The complex instructions caused bewilderment among the participants."

Common error

Avoid using "causes bewilderment" to describe minor confusion. The term implies a significant level of perplexity. Use milder terms like "causes confusion" or "leads to uncertainty" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causes bewilderment" functions as a verb phrase, where 'causes' is the verb indicating the action of bringing about a state, and 'bewilderment' is the noun representing the state of being perplexed or confused. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causes bewilderment" is a grammatically sound way to describe something that leads to a state of deep confusion or perplexity. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is used in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news, media and scientific writing. While relatively rare in occurrence, its meaning is clear and its use appropriate when a significant level of disorientation is intended. Remember to consider less intense alternatives like "causes confusion" for milder situations, and avoid overstating the level of confusion intended. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creates confusion

This alternative focuses on the act of making something unclear or disordered.

induces perplexity

This alternative uses a more formal tone and highlights the state of being puzzled or uncertain.

provokes confusion

This suggests a strong reaction of being mixed up or disoriented.

engenders confusion

This is a more formal way of saying "causes confusion".

leaves someone puzzled

This focuses on the resulting state of the person experiencing bewilderment.

results in bafflement

This emphasizes the feeling of being completely unable to understand something.

sparked incredulity

This phrase implies a reaction of disbelief in addition to confusion.

generate surprise

This alternative reduces the effect only to surprise and lacks the confusion aspect.

arouses astonishment

Similar to surprise, but with a stronger emphasis on amazement.

prompts head-scratching

This is an informal way of describing something that causes one to think hard in confusion.

FAQs

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

Use "causes bewilderment" to describe situations, actions, or statements that lead to a state of confusion or perplexity. For example, "The sudden policy change causes bewilderment among employees."

What are some alternatives to "causes bewilderment"?

You can use alternatives such as "creates confusion", "induces perplexity", or "leaves someone puzzled" depending on the context.

Is "causes bewilderment" formal or informal?

"Causes bewilderment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "engenders confusion" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "causes bewilderment" and "causes confusion"?

"Causes bewilderment" implies a deeper sense of perplexity and disorientation compared to "causes confusion". "Bewilderment" suggests a state where someone is utterly unable to understand or make sense of something, while "confusion" can refer to a milder state of being mixed up or uncertain.