has been confused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been confused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of confusion that has persisted over a period of time, often in relation to a subject or situation. Example: "She has been confused about the instructions given for the project, leading to several misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Everyone I've spoken to has been confused.

The Guardian

Galchenko has been confused when in the past Americans complain about having "low self-esteem".

The New York Times - Sports

The Bagger has been confused from the start about this whole Oscar timing bit.

The New York Times

"Too often autonomy at a political level has been confused with professional autonomy," said Tierney.

The Guardian

But intellectual rigour has been confused with physical or mental fitness.

The Guardian

"But the operational objectives have been confused, the chain of command has been confused, the message has been confused, and the results have been just what you would expect".

The New York Times

And the picture has been confused further by the rise in late 2014 of a Yemeni branch of Isis.

Independent

Dimple Lala was born upside down to an Indian family in America, and she has been confused ever since.

The Guardian

"The public has been confused and misled," said Andrea Levine, director of the council's national advertising division in New York.

The New York Times

The government-bond market has been confused since the Treasury's surprise decision in late October to stop issuing 30-year bonds.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But his message has been confusing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been confused", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about who or what is experiencing confusion. For example, specify whether it's a person, a concept, or a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "has been confused" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The speaker has been confused by the complex topic", consider "The complex topic has confused the speaker".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been confused" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has experienced a state of misunderstanding. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to describe situations, concepts, or individuals that are in a state of perplexity or lack of clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been confused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a state of misunderstanding that has persisted over time. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. The phrase functions as a passive construction, serving to convey a lack of clarity or certainty. While its register is generally neutral, its prevalent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability in both formal and informal settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been misunderstood

Focuses on the idea that something was not correctly understood.

has been misinterpreted

Emphasizes an incorrect interpretation of something.

has been mixed up

Suggests that things have been jumbled together, leading to confusion.

has been blurred

Implies that distinctions have become unclear.

has been obscured

Indicates that something has been hidden or made less clear.

has been puzzled

Focuses on the state of being perplexed or baffled.

has been disoriented

Highlights the feeling of being lost or unsure.

has lost clarity

Emphasizes the absence of clarity or understanding.

has become vague

Suggests a lack of precision or detail.

has become convoluted

Implies that something has become overly complex and difficult to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "has been confused" in a sentence?

You can use "has been confused" to indicate that someone or something is in a state of misunderstanding. For instance, "The witness "has been confused" by the conflicting testimonies" or "The concept "has been confused" with similar ideas".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "has been confused"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has been misunderstood", "has been perplexed", or "has become vague".

Is it correct to say "has been confusing" instead of "has been confused"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Has been confused" describes a state of being, indicating that someone or something is in a state of confusion. "Has been confusing" describes something that causes confusion.

What's the difference between "has been confused" and "is confused"?

"Has been confused" implies that the state of confusion has persisted over a period of time, whereas "is confused" simply describes the current state. For example, "He "has been confused" about the rules for weeks" versus "He "is confused" about the rules right now".