confusion around

USAGE SUMMARY

"confusion around" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to refer to a state of not knowing something, as in this example sentence: "There was a lot of confusion around what the new policy meant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a lot of fear and confusion around today.

The Guardian - Film

Much of the confusion around Mr. Spitzer's plan is understandable.

The New York Times

"There's a big confusion around those resins," Carpenter says.

The Guardian

There's significant confusion around what making the minimum payment actually means.

Independent

In the past, the potential for confusion around binding debt-ceiling limits was well understood.

The New York Times

"Confusion around consent has been the result of historical distortions," she added.

Independent

The root of the confusion around the words lies in their etymologies.

The New Yorker

But Gontran may not be the source of the confusion around the player.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite this, there's been an awful lot of confusion around the British radio industry's digital future.

The Guardian

And the audience's confusion around the works is just what he's after.

The Guardian - Arts

"That adds a bit to the confusion around his motives," the FBI director said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confusion around", ensure that the subject of confusion is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "confusion around the new policy" rather than just "confusion around".

Common error

Avoid using "confusion around" without specifying the topic or area of uncertainty. This can lead to vague or unclear statements. Always provide context to what is causing the confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confusion around" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of clarity or understanding related to that noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confusion around" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase to denote a lack of clarity or understanding about a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms this. As evidenced by the examples, it's most frequently used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure to specify the subject of the confusion to maintain clarity and avoid overgeneralization. Alternative phrases such as "uncertainty surrounding" or "ambiguity concerning" can be used for a more formal tone, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertainty surrounding

Replaces "confusion" with "uncertainty", emphasizing the lack of clear knowledge.

ambiguity concerning

Substitutes "confusion" with "ambiguity", highlighting the multiple possible interpretations.

lack of clarity regarding

Replaces "confusion" with a direct statement of unclear understanding.

misunderstanding of

Focuses on incorrect interpretations rather than general confusion.

unclear about

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and informal expression of not understanding.

controversy over

Shifts the focus to disputes and disagreements as the source of confusion.

debate regarding

Highlights ongoing discussions and differing opinions, implying a lack of settled understanding.

problems with

Indicates that the confusion is causing tangible issues or difficulties.

difficulties understanding

Emphasizes the struggle to comprehend something, indicating confusion.

lack of consensus on

Focuses on the absence of agreement, leading to confusion and conflicting information.

FAQs

How can I use "confusion around" in a sentence?

You can use "confusion around" to describe a lack of clear understanding or certainty about a particular topic. For instance, "There is significant "confusion around the new regulations"".

What's a more formal alternative to "confusion around"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "ambiguity concerning", "lack of clarity regarding", or "uncertainty surrounding".

Is "confusion around" grammatically correct?

Yes, "confusion around" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It's a prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a lack of clear understanding.

What causes "confusion around" a topic?

Factors contributing to "confusion around" a topic can include conflicting information, complex explanations, lack of communication, or rapid changes. Addressing these factors can help reduce the confusion.