causing bewilderment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing bewilderment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or action that leads to confusion or puzzlement. Example: "The sudden change in plans was causing bewilderment among the team members, who were unsure of how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

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

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

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

Financial Innovation

That kind of popular approval explains why the government's decision to formally launch the privatisation of the east coast mainline by offering it to tender is causing such bewilderment, confusion and anger among many regular travellers on the London-to-Edinburgh route.

The Guardian

This caused some bewilderment.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causing bewilderment", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The decision was causing bewilderment", specify "The company's decision was causing bewilderment among employees".

Common error

Avoid using "causing bewilderment" when simpler words like "confusing" or "puzzling" would suffice. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound unnatural and pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing bewilderment" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where 'causing' is a present participle acting as a verb and 'bewilderment' is the noun representing the state of confusion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and effectively conveys the action of creating a state of confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causing bewilderment" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a situation or action leading to a state of confusion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources, particularly in news and media. It is important to ensure clarity by specifying the subject responsible for causing the bewilderment, and to consider whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in informal contexts. When used correctly, "causing bewilderment" effectively conveys a sense of profound confusion and disorientation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating confusion

Replaces "bewilderment" with the more general term "confusion".

generating perplexity

Uses a more formal synonym for "bewilderment", suggesting a higher degree of intellectual challenge.

leading to confusion

Focuses on the result of the action, emphasizing the state of being confused.

stirring up bafflement

Emphasizes the active creation of a state of being puzzled.

provoking disorientation

Highlights the feeling of being lost or uncertain.

instigating puzzlement

Implies a more deliberate or intentional act of creating confusion.

arousing incomprehension

Stresses the lack of understanding that results.

sparking consternation

Suggests a reaction of anxiety or dismay alongside the confusion.

fostering mystification

Implies a sense of mystery or intrigue alongside the confusion.

originating befuddlement

Highlights the act of initiating a state of being muddled or unclear.

FAQs

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

Use "causing bewilderment" to describe a situation or action that results in confusion or puzzlement. For instance, "The new policy is causing bewilderment among staff".

What are some alternatives to "causing bewilderment"?

You can use alternatives like "creating confusion", "leading to perplexity", or "stirring up bafflement" depending on the context.

Is "causing bewilderment" formal or informal?

"Causing bewilderment" is relatively formal. Simpler alternatives like "confusing" or "puzzling" are suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "causing bewilderment" and "causing confusion"?

"Causing bewilderment" implies a deeper, more profound state of puzzlement than "causing confusion". Bewilderment suggests being completely disoriented and uncertain.