how puzzling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how puzzling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express confusion or curiosity about a situation or statement that is difficult to understand. Example: "The results of the experiment were unexpected, and I found myself thinking, how puzzling!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"How puzzling all these changes are!

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Martins's 30th season, more than most, also showed how puzzling a figure he is.

The New York Times - Arts

Barry does impart enough detail about Williams to show how puzzling a character he was, exasperatingly admirable.

The New York Times - Books

A recently released study by the American Bishops Committeee for Pastoral Research and Practice reveals how puzzling the development remains.

The New York Times

How puzzling then that the overall effect of mid-calf tailoring, with coats fastened with metallic clips and wide cropped pants, seemed more stolid than artsy.

The New York Times

For many documentarians their opinion on the credit issue hinges upon audience perception: how puzzling it is for viewers to see the credit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Those contradictions help explain how this puzzling leader won lasting esteem and the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize two decades after his defeat in one of the biggest landslides in presidential history.

The New York Times

The new analysis also explains how a puzzling plateau in northeastern India popped into being.

Science Magazine

Now Donald Jackson, a professor of physiology at Brown University, has proof positive: a graph showing just how strenuous puzzling can be, measured in the minutes it takes him to complete the crossword each day.

Forbes

But it's puzzling how science could tell us, for example, how to prioritise between rights of free speech and privacy?

Independent

It was puzzling how the Sun could broadcast its future activity levels to the Earth!

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how puzzling" to express mild confusion or curiosity when encountering something unexpected or difficult to understand. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, "how puzzling" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "how perplexing" or "how enigmatic" in academic or professional contexts. Consider the tone of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how puzzling" functions as an adjectival phrase expressing subjective evaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common use. It modifies an implied noun, typically a situation or event, conveying the speaker's perplexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how puzzling" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey confusion or mild surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied situation and prompting reflection. While versatile, its register leans towards neutral, making it suitable for general conversation and news media, though formal synonyms might be preferable in academic or professional writing. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, "how puzzling" offers a concise way to express perplexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how perplexing

Replaces "puzzling" with a synonym that emphasizes complexity.

how baffling

Uses a synonym for "puzzling" that suggests a higher degree of incomprehension.

how confusing

Focuses on the disorientation caused by the situation.

how bewildering

Suggests a more profound state of confusion and disorientation.

what a mystery

Frames the situation as an enigma.

how enigmatic

Emphasizes the mysterious and inexplicable nature of the situation.

how inexplicable

Highlights the lack of a clear explanation.

how incomprehensible

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding the situation.

it's a conundrum

Presents the situation as a difficult problem or riddle.

it's all Greek to me

An idiomatic expression indicating complete lack of understanding.

FAQs

What does "how puzzling" mean?

The phrase "how puzzling" expresses confusion or mild surprise about something that is difficult to understand or explain. It indicates that a situation, fact, or statement is perplexing or enigmatic.

What can I say instead of "how puzzling"?

You can use alternatives like "how perplexing", "how baffling", or "how confusing" depending on the context. These alternatives offer similar sentiments of confusion or bewilderment.

Is "how puzzling" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how puzzling" may sound less formal than alternatives such as "how enigmatic" or "how inexplicable". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

How can I use "how puzzling" in a sentence?

You can use "how puzzling" to express your confusion or surprise about something. For example, "The results of the experiment were unexpected, and I found myself thinking, how puzzling!" or "It is puzzling how the fire could have started because the empty jet had been parked for eight hours."