confusing phrasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confusing phrasing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It refers to a sentence or phrase that is unclear or difficult to understand due to its structure or wording. Example: The instructions for assembling the furniture were written with confusing phrasing, making it difficult for me to complete the task correctly.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Once you've written a solid draft of the essay, you can review it to look out for any grammatical errors, confusing phrasing, and repetitive ideas.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Norman Baker, the Home Office drugs minister, is leading a taskforce to look at legal highs (a confusing phrase because many of them contain illegal substances).

The Guardian - Opinion

There was this one guy who would babble on for at least five minutes, using long words and confusing phrases.

Huffington Post

Mr Akin, I think you are confusing the phrase 'legitimate rape' with the phrase 'competitive gymnastics'".

The Guardian

3) Avoid long, confusing parenthetical phrases.

The New York Times

A Navy spokesman admitted use of the 'water board' torture... to 'convince each trainee that he won't be able to physically resist what an enemy would do to him.' " In 1991, the columnist Jack Anderson — confusing the phrase about ancient practice with the modern development — wrote of "the Chinese water board demonstration, one of the most dangerous in the Navy arsenal.

The New York Times - Magazine

If it is a confusing keyword phrase like Drawing Blood, link to the other meaning and mention that in the first paragraph.

WikiHow

Bikers won't stop, fearing they will lose a few tenths of a second off their times; and tourists from former Soviet republics confuse the phrase "Get out of the bike lane, you jerk" with "Enjoy your stay".

The New York Times

In a breathless rush, she leads us through the "wastes and deserts" of influenza, the "precipices and lawns sprinkled with bright flowers" of fever and the pit of death -- although she then wittily leaves us to wake up in the dentist's chair, where we confuse the phrase "rinse the mouth" with God greeting us at the gates of heaven.

The New York Times - Books

First, 54.7% of the errors (categories 3 5) were caused because the algorithm confused similar phrases (e.g. "T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma" versus "Pre-B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma").

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The phrasing was confusing because it's natural to read "to leave" together as an infinitive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "confusing phrasing", ensure that you provide specific examples to illustrate what makes the phrasing difficult to understand. This will give your audience a clearer picture of the issue and make your feedback more actionable.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that the "phrasing" is "confusing" without providing context or examples. This lacks specificity and doesn't help the writer understand how to improve their writing. Always back up your assertion with concrete instances of the problematic phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confusing phrasing" functions as a descriptive term, typically acting as a subject complement or an adjective modifying a noun. It pinpoints a quality of writing or speech that hinders comprehension. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confusing phrasing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe language that is difficult to understand. Though Ludwig AI examples indicate that it appears relatively infrequently, when used, it's crucial to specify what aspects of the phrasing are problematic. Employing this term effectively requires providing concrete examples and suggestions for improvement. Alternative expressions like "unclear wording" or "ambiguous language" can be considered depending on the specific context. As noted, simply labeling something as having "confusing phrasing" without further clarification offers little value to the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear wording

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the choice of words.

ambiguous language

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations.

vague expression

Emphasizes the lack of precision in the way something is said.

incomprehensible wording

Stresses the difficulty in understanding the specific words used.

opaque language

Indicates that the language is difficult to see through or understand.

muddled language

Suggests that the language is disorganized and unclear.

tortuous phrasing

Implies that the phrasing is unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow.

cryptic expression

Suggests the expression has a hidden meaning that's difficult to decipher.

perplexing wording

Highlights the bewildering nature of the chosen words.

difficult to understand phrasing

Directly states the challenge in comprehending the way something is expressed.

FAQs

What does "confusing phrasing" mean?

The term "confusing phrasing" refers to the use of words and sentence structure that makes a text difficult to understand. This can arise from poor grammar, complex sentence construction, or ambiguous word choices.

How can I identify "confusing phrasing" in my writing?

Read your work aloud and pay attention to any sentences that sound awkward or require multiple readings to understand. Ask a friend or colleague to review your writing and point out any sections that seem unclear. Using readability tools can also help identify potentially "confusing" sections.

What are some alternatives to "confusing phrasing"?

Depending on the specific issue, you can use alternatives such as "unclear wording", "ambiguous language", or "vague expression" to describe the problem.

How can I fix "confusing phrasing" in my writing?

Simplify complex sentences, use precise language, and ensure that your ideas flow logically. Break down long paragraphs into shorter, more manageable chunks. Also, consider rephrasing any sentences that contain jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand.