confused by

USAGE SUMMARY

"confused by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone feeling uncertain or perplexed about something. For example, "The students were confused by the professor's explanation of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Confused by choice?

The Guardian - Travel

I'm confused by their relationship.

The New Yorker

Confused by all this nomenclature?

The New York Times

I'm confused by clickbait.

The Guardian - Opinion

d. confused by.

The New York Times

The world is confused by it.

The Economist

He got confused by money, I think.

The New York Times

I am always confused by this question.

Independent

Confused by the recent events in Ukraine?

The New Yorker

— will be confused by the classification.

The New York Times - Books

I remain genuinely confused by this transformation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confused by", ensure the subject causing the confusion is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I was confused by the complex plot twists in the movie".

Common error

Avoid using "confused by" without specifying what is causing the confusion. For instance, instead of saying "I was confused", specify "I was confused by the instructions" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confused by" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically follows a verb like "be" or "become" to express a state of perplexity or lack of understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase for indicating confusion caused by something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confused by" is a prepositional phrase used to express a state of perplexity or lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. It is most common in news and media, formal and business settings, and science, and is generally considered to have a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the source of confusion is clearly identified. Alternatives include "perplexed by" and "baffled by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perplexed by

Replaces "confused" with "perplexed", indicating a state of being puzzled or bewildered.

baffled by

Substitutes "confused" with "baffled", implying a sense of frustration and inability to comprehend.

bewildered by

Replaces "confused" with "bewildered", suggesting a state of disorientation and uncertainty.

mystified by

Substitutes "confused" with "mystified", indicating a sense of being puzzled or intrigued by something.

puzzled by

Replaces "confused" with "puzzled", implying a state of mild perplexity or questioning.

at sea about

Uses a metaphorical expression indicating feeling lost or disoriented in relation to a topic.

unable to grasp

Focuses on the inability to understand or comprehend something.

lacking understanding of

Highlights the absence of comprehension or insight regarding a particular subject.

struggling to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in trying to understand something.

disoriented by

Indicates a feeling of being lost or lacking direction in understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "confused by" in a sentence?

You can use "confused by" to describe a feeling of uncertainty or lack of understanding. For example, "I am confused by the new software update".

What are some alternatives to "confused by"?

Alternatives include "perplexed by", "baffled by", or "mystified by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "confused by" or "confused about"?

"Confused by" and "confused about" are both correct and often interchangeable. "Confused by" usually implies that something specific caused the confusion, while "confused about" can be more general.

What's the difference between "confused by" and "mistaken about"?

"Confused by" implies a lack of understanding, while "mistaken about" suggests an incorrect belief or assumption. For example, "I was confused by the directions" versus "I was mistaken about the time of the meeting".