confused idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confused idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thought or concept that is unclear or not well-defined. Example: "Her explanation was so convoluted that it left me with a confused idea of what she was trying to convey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's actually philosophers write about what a confused idea it is.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Somewhere there exists an arbiter with a completely confused idea of what the pre-teen mind can digest in paper form.

The New Yorker

For a long time I was playing at being a grown-up and it was a slightly confused idea of what that meant.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ethicists have a name for the confused idea that moral conclusions can be deduced from scientific evidence: they call it the "naturalistic fallacy", and it cuts two ways.

The Economist

It follows that we are best off when we understand things least, because "a tiny confused idea is always greater than a vast one which is clear".

The New Yorker

"Lady Monogram cared nothing for Melmotte's villainy, as regarded herself … She had but a confused idea of any difference between commerce and fraud".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She is the author of Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories (MIT Press, 1984) and White Queen Psychology and Other Essays for Alice (MIT Press, 1995) and On Clear and Confused Ideas.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It seems to me that the great difficulty of writing is to make the language of the educated mind express our confused ideas, half feelings, half thoughts, where we are little more than bundles of instinctive tendencies".

The New Yorker

Steve Carell's wrestling benefactor in Foxcatcher has confused ideas about the limits of the role of a coach, but the take-no-prisoners philosophy he instils in Channing Tatum is clearly the correct one.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this study, the unsatisfactory reliability might also have been caused by individuals' confused ideas about the nature of science.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

To the extent that we have confused ideas, we may indeed consciously pursue ends other than perseverance in being.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confused idea", ensure the context clarifies who holds the idea and what makes it confused. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "confused idea" without specifying the subject or object of confusion. For example, instead of saying "the plan was based on a confused idea", specify "the plan was based on a "confused idea of" market demand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confused idea" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "confused" modifies the noun "idea". It describes the state of the idea itself, indicating a lack of clarity or coherence. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confused idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a concept lacking clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it benefits from contextual clarity, specifying the subject and object of confusion. Alternatives such as "vague notion" or "muddled concept" can provide nuanced variations. When writing, avoid overgeneralization and clearly define what makes the idea "confused" to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

muddled concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept" and "confused" with "muddled", suggesting a lack of clarity.

vague notion

Replaces "confused" with "vague" and "idea" with "notion", indicating a lack of defined form.

unclear understanding

Focuses on the lack of clarity in understanding, rather than the idea itself.

fuzzy concept

Uses "fuzzy" to describe the lack of clear boundaries or definition in the concept.

hazy impression

Suggests a faint or indistinct mental image, less concrete than a "confused idea".

misconception

Implies an incorrect understanding or interpretation of something.

flawed understanding

Emphasizes the imperfection or defect in the understanding.

faulty premise

Indicates that the underlying assumption or basis for the idea is incorrect.

erroneous belief

Focuses on the incorrectness of the belief rather than the confusion surrounding the idea.

inaccurate perception

Highlights the incorrectness in how something is viewed or understood.

FAQs

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

You can use "confused idea" to describe a thought or concept that is unclear or poorly understood. For example, "The policy was based on a "confused idea of" the actual needs of the community."

What are some alternatives to "confused idea"?

Alternatives include "vague notion", "muddled concept", or "unclear understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "confused idea" or "confusing idea"?

"Confused idea" refers to an idea that is itself unclear or misunderstood, while "confusing idea" describes an idea that causes confusion in others. The choice depends on whether you are describing the state of the idea or its effect.

What is the difference between a "confused idea" and a "misconception"?

A "confused idea" is simply unclear or poorly defined, while a "misconception" is an incorrect or mistaken understanding. A misconception is wrong, while a confused idea is simply not well-formed.