confusing with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confusing with" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is causing confusion or difficulty for someone. Example: The new technology can be confusing with its complex functions and unclear instructions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it gets confusing with the fist pumps and the clenches and the handshakes.

The Guardian - Sport

The pricing is doubly confusing with many deals stating: "buy two bottles and save £10".

The Guardian - Money

The Fire OS software is also confusing with an inconsistent interface.

The Guardian - Tech

The Irish theme is initially appealing and then confusing, with nary a hint of Guinness or Baileys to be found.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Musing on the difficulties that this presents, she fears boring with repetition those who remember, and confusing with elliptical reference those who do not.

The Economist

Mr. Hantman's post said the rules on short-term rentals remained "confusing, with some provisions applying to certain buildings and not to others".

The New York Times

This is despite the fact that, last we checked, they play their home games outdoors in Chicago, which no one is confusing with Aruba.

The New York Times - Sports

The fantasy of a pure Hall of Fame would be shattered, and the roster of inductees would look confusing with some stars still on the outside.

The New York Times - Sports

Current arrangements are confusing, with some EU countries running their own lists of safe countries of origin, others not, and not a single country appearing on all lists.

The Guardian

The situation in London regarding planning laws has been frankly confusing with an antiquated law from the 1970s," said a spokesman.

The Guardian - Tech

"I don't like chemistry because it's confusing with all the elements and reactants.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confusing with", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being confused and what it is being confused with to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The instructions were confusing with the diagrams", say "The instructions were confusing with the diagrams because they used different terminologies."

Common error

Avoid using "confusing with" in passive voice constructions where the subject causing the confusion is unclear. For example, instead of writing "The topic was confusing with complex details", it's better to rewrite it as "Complex details made the topic confusing" or "The topic was confusing because of the complex details".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confusing with" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a state of misidentification or difficulty in distinguishing between two or more things. This is supported by Ludwig, as it has several real world usage examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "confusing with" is a commonly used prepositional phrase to express misidentification or difficulty in distinguishing between things. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and is used to describe when something is causing confusion or difficulty. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its function is to indicate the source of the confusion. Related phrases include ""mixing up with"" and "mistaking for". When employing "confusing with", clarify the elements involved to prevent ambiguity. Be mindful of passive constructions, and ensure the subject remains clear to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confounding with

Suggests a state of bewilderment or perplexity due to similarities.

mixing up with

Focuses on the act of incorrectly associating two or more things.

mistaking for

Emphasizes the error of identifying something as something else.

blending together with

Highlights the lack of distinction between elements, making them hard to differentiate.

losing distinction with

Indicates a gradual disappearance of clear boundaries.

blurring the lines with

Emphasizes the removal of clear distinctions between concepts.

complicating with

Adds an element of increased difficulty and complexity.

befuddling with

Implies a state of confusion and disorientation.

obfuscating with

Suggests a deliberate attempt to make something unclear.

tangling with

Indicates a situation that has become muddled and difficult to resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "confusing with" in a sentence?

You can use "confusing with" to describe something that is being mistaken for something else, or when elements blend together making distinction difficult. For example, "The similar names were "mixing up with" one another" or "His explanation was "confounding with" jargon."

What's the difference between "confusing with" and "confusing to"?

"Confusing with" implies a mistaken association or blending of two things, while "confusing to" means something is difficult for someone to understand. For example, "The plot was confusing with its many twists" versus "The plot was confusing to me."

Which is correct, "confusing with" or "confused by"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "Confusing with" indicates something is causing items to be mixed up, while "confused by" means someone is experiencing a lack of understanding because of something. Example: "The document is "confounding with" errors" and "I am confused by his sudden change."

What can I say instead of "confusing with"?

You can use alternatives like "mistaking for", ""mixing up with"", or "blending together with" depending on the context.