express confusion about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express confusion about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's feelings of uncertainty or lack of understanding regarding a particular topic or situation. Example: "During the meeting, several team members expressed confusion about the new project guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Regardless, many Afghans express confusion about the Americans' true intentions.

The New York Times

But Mr. Russell, a confirmed cheerleader for preservation over development, does not like it one iota when people express confusion about his Fork's qualifications as a haven for weekend homeowners, boaters, golfers and oenophiles.

The New York Times

Poor cotton farmers in places as remote as Burkina Faso know much more about our agricultural policies than most Americans do, and they express confusion about the United States government's stated commitment to small farmers.

The New York Times

But a person close to the Clintons confirmed that the Clinton camp had reached out on to Vinnie Malhotra, senior vice president for development and acquisitions at CNN Worldwide, to express "confusion" about how a news organization could cover Mrs. Clinton while also producing a for-profit movie about her life.

The New York Times

Such a state of things brings about a situation when many senior executives express confusion about the CTO's exact role.

Triple Helix

Studies of chronic facial pain patients have shown similar breakdown in doctor patient relationships and patients express confusion about the varied views they had received on management of their pain and likely outcomes [17].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Before this activity students expressed confusion about how a theoretical stance could have any practical ramifications.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Degeest is hardly the only one expressing confusion about what has become a surprisingly close governor's race.

The New York Times

At the start of the year, it expressed confusion about the unusually robust pace of job creation.

The Washington Post

(C) Cabactulan asked several basic questions on international fuel supply initiatives, expressing confusion about the many different proposals.

The Guardian

The library has received about a half-dozen letters expressing "confusion about Donnell going away forever," Mr. Ferriero said, adding that officials have responded to dispel the confusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express confusion about", ensure the subject clearly communicates their lack of understanding, and the object specifies the topic causing confusion. For example, "The students expressed confusion about the new theorem" is clearer than "The students expressed confusion."

Common error

Avoid using "express confusion about" without specifying what the confusion pertains to. Saying "They expressed confusion" leaves the reader wondering what exactly is unclear to them. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express confusion about" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of communicating a state of uncertainty or lack of understanding. It is commonly used to describe someone's reaction to a situation they find perplexing. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express confusion about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of communicating a lack of understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, scientific articles, and academic writing. While the phrase is usable in a wide range of contexts, it is important to specify the subject of confusion to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "voice uncertainty regarding" and "articulate bewilderment concerning" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voice uncertainty regarding

Formal alternative, emphasizing the act of voicing uncertainty.

articulate bewilderment concerning

More formal and emphasizes a higher degree of confusion.

show puzzlement over

Implies confusion is visible or apparent.

convey incomprehension of

Focuses on the lack of understanding being communicated.

register doubt about

Highlights the expression of doubt stemming from confusion.

air skepticism regarding

Emphasizes doubt and questioning due to confusion.

manifest lack of understanding about

A more descriptive and formal way to express confusion.

reveal perplexity concerning

Highlights the revealing of a state of perplexity.

display disorientation regarding

Suggests a loss of bearings or understanding.

profess ignorance about

Directly states a lack of knowledge which leads to confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "express confusion about" in a sentence?

Use "express confusion about" to describe someone communicating their lack of understanding. For example, "The team members "expressed confusion about" the project deadline."

What's a formal alternative to "express confusion about"?

A more formal alternative is "voice uncertainty regarding", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "express confusion about" or "show confusion about"?

Both are correct, but "show confusion about" implies that the confusion is visible or apparent, whereas "express confusion about" refers to the act of communicating the confusion verbally or in writing.

What's the difference between "express confusion about" and "are confused about"?

"Express confusion about" emphasizes the act of communicating confusion. "Are confused about" simply describes a state of being confused. For instance, "They "expressed confusion about" the instructions" means they communicated their confusion, whereas "They are confused about the instructions" simply means they don't understand them.