confused to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confused to learn" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express surprise or bewilderment at receiving new information, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I was confused to learn that the meeting had been canceled without any notice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Franks were surprised and confused to learn last year that they were deemed marginal.

The New York Times

Jenkins released a statement saying he was "shocked and confused" to learn that he had tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.

The New York Times - Sports

He's confused to learn there's not actually a "face-off machine" that can change his identity, and he's given to listing the absurd punishments he's taken in the line of duty, from ripping off his own arm to impersonating Barack Obama – all delivered with an impeccably straight face.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nathan Eddy believes that Windows 8 could both assist and confuse small-business owners: "The biggest risk Microsoft is taking with Windows 8 is the redesigned user interface, which has left users confused when trying to learn the new system".

The New York Times

Having already learned of the end to my college search, I was confused to find myself frolicking on the greens of another university.

The New York Times

Again this seems confused to me.

Biology Direct

More disinterested voices caution against confusing the obvious need to learn computer-literacy skills with the less obvious need to learn everything else via a computer.The market for online education can be divided into three: schools, universities and business/commercial training.

The Economist

Folk wisdom holds that being confused is detrimental to learning.

The Internet and Higher Education

After the game, Francoeur said he and other veteran players were dismayed and confused earlier in the day to learn that Cora, the popular veteran whom he considered his friend and a mentor, had been released.

The New York Times - Sports

I was inspired by the few who were keen to learn, and confused by those who were afraid to.

Huffington Post

If he doesn't, he will be sending out some pretty confusing signals (if he feels confused, he will learn to keep it to himself).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey surprise or confusion upon learning something, it's better to rephrase using clearer expressions like "surprised to learn that" or "confused when I learned that".

Common error

Avoid directly connecting "confused" with "to learn"; instead, clarify the relationship with conjunctions like "when" or rephrase to emphasize the feeling of surprise or bewilderment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confused to learn" functions as an adjective ("confused") followed by an infinitive ("to learn"). However, based on Ludwig AI's assessment, this construction is not considered standard English and is often better expressed with alternative phrasing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while instances of the phrase "confused to learn" appear in various sources, Ludwig AI deems it non-standard English. The intended meaning is to convey a sense of surprise or bewilderment upon gaining new knowledge. However, it is recommended to opt for clearer, grammatically sound alternatives like "surprised to learn that" or "confused when I learned that". Given its questionable grammatical status, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and use it cautiously even in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprised to discover

Emphasizes the element of surprise upon finding something out.

surprised to find out that

Adds specificity, indicating surprise at a particular piece of information.

shocked to find out

Highlights a strong feeling of disbelief and surprise upon learning something.

shocked to discover that

Similar to "shocked to find out", but emphasizes the discovery aspect.

astonished to hear

Conveys a sense of great surprise and wonder upon receiving information.

astonished to realize that

Combines surprise with a moment of understanding or awareness.

bewildered to realize

Focuses on the confusion experienced when understanding something new.

perplexed to learn that

Focuses on the puzzling or confusing nature of the information received.

taken aback to learn

Suggests a sudden surprise or shock upon gaining knowledge.

dismayed to find

Expresses disappointment and concern upon making a discovery.

FAQs

What's a better way to phrase "confused to learn"?

Instead of saying "confused to learn", try more standard alternatives such as "surprised to learn", "confused when I learned", or "bewildered to discover" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "confused to learn" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "confused to learn" might be encountered, it is not considered standard English. It's clearer to use phrases like "I was confused when I learned" or "surprised to learn that" to avoid ambiguity.

How can I use "confused to learn" in a sentence correctly?

It's generally recommended to avoid "confused to learn" and instead use constructions that clarify the relationship between confusion and learning. For instance, "I was confused when I learned..." provides more clarity.

What's the difference between "confused to learn" and "surprised to learn"?

"Confused to learn" is less common and grammatically awkward. "Surprised to learn" clearly expresses astonishment upon receiving new information, while "confused" needs a clearer connection (e.g., "confused about what I learned").