find it puzzling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find it puzzling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confusion or difficulty in understanding something. Example: "I find it puzzling that the results of the experiment were so different from our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We find it puzzling that those who say the intelligence community reached its conclusions on limited evidence are reaching opposite conclusions on even less".

The New York Times

I find it puzzling how much I, and some other people, love architecture.

The New Yorker

Yet some find it puzzling that he was later sent to America for nine years.

The Economist

No wonder we find it puzzling: we have never been here before.

The Guardian - Books

So I find it puzzling to the point of distress that I genuinely like the new LR4.

The New York Times

But others, especially in countries with nothing similar to the constitutional separation of church and state, find it puzzling that there is any controversy at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

But I found it puzzling and distracting.

The New York Times

"What I meant was — I found it puzzling that she would deny something she was not accused of".

The New Yorker

While experts said widening access to the drug would be unlikely, many found it puzzling that it was even under consideration.

The New York Times

Former Representative Christopher Shays of Connecticut found it puzzling: over time, his friend Attorney General Richard Blumenthal kept revising how he talked about his military service during the Vietnam War.

The New York Times

As a child, John found it puzzling "that a woman who wrote books for a living should always be so bad at telling bedtime stories".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "find it puzzling" to express a mild sense of confusion or bemusement. For stronger confusion, consider alternatives like "find it baffling" or "find it incomprehensible".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "find it puzzling" can make writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, replace it with more sophisticated alternatives like "consider it enigmatic" or "regard it as counterintuitive" to enhance the tone and vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find it puzzling" functions as a subjective expression of confusion or difficulty in understanding something. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this expression is typically used to convey the speaker's personal perspective on a matter they don't readily comprehend. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "find it puzzling" serves as a common and correct way to express confusion or a lack of understanding, as affirmed by Ludwig. The analysis reveals that its usage is prevalent in news and media, yet also appears in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. Although grammatically sound, writers should vary their vocabulary in formal writing. As Ludwig's examples indicate, it is a versatile phrase, conveying a mild sense of bewilderment, while alternative phrases such as "find it baffling" or "find it inexplicable" can be used to convey a stronger sense of confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it baffling

Replaces "puzzling" with "baffling", suggesting a stronger sense of confusion.

find it perplexing

Substitutes "puzzling" with "perplexing", indicating a more intellectual or complex confusion.

find it confusing

Replaces "puzzling" with "confusing", denoting a general lack of clarity.

find it strange

Shifts the focus to the unusual or odd nature of something rather than a direct difficulty in understanding.

find it inexplicable

Indicates that something cannot be explained or understood by any means.

find it astonishing

Emphasizes the surprise or amazement caused by something, rather than the confusion.

find it surprising

Highlights the unexpected nature of something, with less emphasis on the difficulty of understanding.

find it intriguing

Suggests that something is interesting or fascinating, though perhaps still not fully understood.

consider it confusing

Uses "consider" instead of "find", which slightly distances the speaker from the feeling of confusion.

regard it as perplexing

Offers a more formal and detached way of expressing the same sentiment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "find it puzzling" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "consider it enigmatic", "regard it as perplexing", or "deem it incomprehensible", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "find it puzzling" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "find it puzzling" might be perceived as too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and academic vocabulary to convey your confusion, such as "consider it anomalous" or "view it as counterintuitive".

What's the difference between "find it puzzling" and "find it baffling"?

"Find it puzzling" suggests a mild sense of confusion or difficulty in understanding. "Find it baffling", on the other hand, indicates a stronger degree of confusion, implying that something is completely perplexing and difficult to make sense of.

How to use "find it puzzling" in a sentence?

You can use "find it puzzling" to express your confusion or lack of understanding about something. For example: "I find it puzzling that the data contradicts the initial hypothesis" or "Many "find it puzzling" that he would make such a decision after careful consideration".