feel confusing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel confusing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, concept, or experience that causes confusion or uncertainty for someone. Example: "The instructions for the new software update feel confusing, making it difficult for users to follow along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(It might feel confusing at the time, but in some ways those are the moments I love you the most).

The Guardian - Sport

When we do something in WoW, it's got to feel instantly reactive, it can't feel laggy, it can't feel confusing.

The Guardian - Tech

Adnum: I don't wear jock straps of any fabric; they feel confusing to me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But it's normal to feel confused about your feelings.

WikiHow

Sometimes, that makes the book feel confused.

The New York Times - Books

(I feel confused just writing about it).

The New Yorker

I don't know why I feel confused.

The New York Times - Sports

It is not surprising that people feel confused.

The Guardian

Outsiders feel confused by the City of London.

The Guardian - Arts

He smiled and said, "I really feel confused talk- ing about myself.

The New Yorker

[He imitates an auteur airily giving direction.] "Here, we want you to feel confused".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel confusing", ensure that the subject experiencing the confusion is clearly identified. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "feel confusing" to describe something objectively confusing without indicating who is experiencing the confusion. It's important to specify the subject that experiences the confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel confusing" primarily functions as a linking verb + adjective construction. The verb "feel" connects the subject to the adjective "confusing", describing a subjective sensation or perception. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel confusing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a subjective experience of confusion, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is experiencing the feeling of confusion. For alternatives, consider phrases like "seem perplexing" or "appear baffling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem perplexing

Replaces "feel" with "seem" and "confusing" with "perplexing", making it sound slightly more formal.

appear baffling

Substitutes "feel" with "appear" and "confusing" with "baffling", suggesting a more objective observation of confusion.

strike as unclear

Uses "strike as" to convey the impression of something being unclear, shifting the focus to initial perception.

come across as muddled

Employs "come across as" and "muddled" to indicate a lack of coherence and clarity in presentation.

be difficult to grasp

Focuses on the challenge of understanding something, rather than the feeling of confusion itself.

evoke bewilderment

Shifts the focus to the effect of causing bewilderment, rather than the personal feeling of confusion.

leave one puzzled

Indicates that something leaves a person in a state of puzzlement, highlighting the lingering effect.

generate disorientation

Suggests that something causes a sense of disorientation, implying a loss of bearings.

induce perplexity

A more formal way of saying something causes perplexity, indicating a state of being puzzled or bewildered.

prove disorienting

Emphasizes the action or process of causing disorientation.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel confusing" to describe something that evokes a sense of bewilderment. For example, "The instructions for the new software "feel confusing", making it difficult to follow along."

What are some alternatives to "feel confusing"?

Alternatives include "seem perplexing", "appear baffling", or "strike as unclear", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel confusing"?

Yes, "feel confusing" is grammatically correct. The verb "feel" correctly links a subject with the adjective "confusing" to describe a subjective experience.

What's the difference between "feel confusing" and "is confusing"?

"Feel confusing" describes a subjective experience or impression, while "is confusing" describes an objective quality. For example, "The instructions "feel confusing" to me" indicates a personal experience, whereas "The instructions are confusing" states a general quality of the instructions.