could become perplexed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could become perplexed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone might find something confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "If the instructions are unclear, the participants could become perplexed about what to do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I, like many others, have become perplexed.

The New York Times

Officials pointed to another example of how they become perplexed.

The New York Times - Sports

And school officials, as well as parents, can become perplexed by it all.

The New York Times

Both have been consistently high in the rankings for student performance too.Below that though, things become perplexing.

The Economist

I first became perplexed while looking at a thickly knit mauve cardigan.

The New York Times

"And more and more I became perplexed by the complete stand-down of the enforcement arm of our government".

The New York Times

As the problems escalated, the parents became perplexed over the reasons for their children's behaviors.

HuffPost

Food could become cheaper.

The Economist

You could become claustrophobic.

The New York Times

Devolution could become easier.

The Economist

Farm workers could become farmers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could become perplexed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the potential confusion to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could become perplexed" in situations where simpler alternatives like "might get confused" or "may not understand" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could become perplexed" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for someone to experience confusion. It suggests a hypothetical situation where understanding is hindered. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could become perplexed" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to express a potential state of confusion. Though somewhat formal, it is versatile enough for neutral contexts, spanning from news reporting to general writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, related phrases like "might get confused" offer simpler alternatives, as shown through the various usage contexts identified by Ludwig. Consider the audience and context when selecting this phrase to ensure the appropriate level of formality and clarity. Common errors include overuse in overly simple situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might get confused

Replaces "could become perplexed" with a simpler verb phrase and synonym for "perplexed".

may find themselves puzzled

Uses "may" instead of "could" to indicate possibility and replaces "perplexed" with "puzzled".

might not understand

A simpler and more direct way of expressing potential confusion.

might grow bewildered

Substitutes "become perplexed" with "grow bewildered", indicating a gradual onset of confusion.

could be baffled

Replaces "perplexed" with "baffled", suggesting a stronger sense of confusion or being unable to understand.

may be at a loss

Indicates a state of not knowing what to do or think, similar to being perplexed.

could be mystified

Replaces "perplexed" with "mystified", implying a sense of mystery or bewilderment.

may struggle to comprehend

Highlights the difficulty in understanding something, similar to being perplexed.

might be stumped

Informal alternative indicating a difficulty in understanding or solving something.

may draw a blank

Informal expression suggesting a complete inability to understand or remember something.

FAQs

How can I use "could become perplexed" in a sentence?

You can use "could become perplexed" to describe a situation where someone might experience confusion. For example, "If the instructions are unclear, the participants "could become perplexed" about what to do next."

What are some alternatives to "could become perplexed"?

Some alternatives include "might get confused", "could be baffled", or "may find themselves puzzled". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "could become perplexed" formal or informal?

"Could become perplexed" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "might get confused" or "might not understand" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "could become perplexed" and "could be confused"?

"Could become perplexed" implies a deeper level of bewilderment or difficulty in understanding than "could be confused". "Perplexed" suggests a state of being puzzled and uncertain, while "confused" is a more general term for a lack of clarity.