equally confused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally confused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where multiple people or parties share the same level of confusion about a topic or issue. Example: "After the meeting, I left the room feeling equally confused as my colleagues, unsure of the next steps we needed to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Quality is equally confused: dishes range from ravishing to bewildering.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the frontline our policy has been equally confused.

The Guardian - Opinion

But many overlooked a second finding, that "yes" voters were equally confused.

The Economist

And why should the deadline be 2015, not some other year?Official thinking about waste in general seems equally confused.

The Economist

It's the misguided advice of other equally confused people and melodramatic 'health' reporting in the media that interferes with this innate understanding and messes up our natural instincts.

Independent

When my mother died, Christmas a year ago, I wondered what I was supposed to do in the days afterward — and many friends, especially those who had not yet suffered an analogous loss, seemed equally confused.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The survey found that Americans are equally as confused about where they stand on abortion as feminism.

Huffington Post

When Bobby (Mason Vale Cotton) woke up, he was equally as confused.

Huffington Post

The scanner, which was designed by Election Systems and Software, is equally confusing.

The New York Times

Chips on shoulders and being sent to Coventry were equally confusing.

The Guardian

The question of why they've chosen to re-record the songs from the film for the new album is equally confusing.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "equally confused" to emphasize a shared state of uncertainty among multiple individuals or groups. This can add weight to your description, highlighting a common predicament.

Common error

Avoid using "equally confused" when the confusion is not shared or when the subjects are confused about different things. Ensure the confusion pertains to the same subject or situation for all parties involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally confused" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating that multiple subjects share a similar state of bewilderment or lack of understanding. As supported by Ludwig, it highlights a shared condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equally confused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a shared state of bewilderment or lack of understanding, according to Ludwig. It functions as a descriptive modifier, emphasizing that multiple subjects experience a similar level of confusion. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse applications. While alternatives like "just as baffled" or "similarly perplexed" exist, "equally confused" provides a clear and concise way to convey shared uncertainty. It's important to ensure that the confusion pertains to the same subject for all parties involved to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as baffled

Replaces "confused" with "baffled", implying a slightly stronger sense of being perplexed or puzzled.

similarly perplexed

Uses "perplexed" to convey confusion, suggesting a state of being puzzled or bewildered to a similar degree.

as bewildered

Synonymous and interchangeable alternative, conveys a feeling of being deeply puzzled or disoriented in the same way.

identically puzzled

Substitutes "confused" with "puzzled" and specifies that the confusion is identical, highlighting the sameness of bewilderment.

uniformly disoriented

Replaces "confused" with "disoriented", indicating a loss of bearings or sense of direction shared equally.

comparably mystified

Uses "mystified" instead of "confused", suggesting a sense of being perplexed or bewildered by something mysterious, and it's shared.

in similar bewilderment

Expresses the shared confusion as a state of bewilderment, emphasizing the emotional and mental state.

on par in their incomprehension

Focuses on the lack of understanding, stating that their level of incomprehension is on the same level.

sharing the same fog

Employs metaphorical language, depicting confusion as a "fog" that everyone involved is experiencing together.

with commensurate uncertainty

Highlights the uncertainty stemming from confusion, indicating that the level of uncertainty is proportionate and shared.

FAQs

How can I use "equally confused" in a sentence?

You can use "equally confused" to describe situations where multiple subjects share the same level of confusion regarding a specific topic. For instance, "The students were "equally confused" by the complex equation".

What phrases are similar to "equally confused"?

Alternatives to "equally confused" include phrases such as "just as baffled", "similarly perplexed", or "as bewildered", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "equally as confused"?

While "equally confused" is grammatically sound, "equally as confused" is often considered redundant. It's generally more concise and preferable to simply use ""equally confused"".

What's the difference between "confused" and "equally confused"?

"Confused" describes a state of bewilderment or lack of understanding in general. "Equally confused" specifies that multiple parties share the same degree of confusion. The latter emphasizes the shared nature of the confusion.