identically puzzled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "identically puzzled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where multiple people share the same level of confusion or bewilderment about something. Example: "After hearing the complicated explanation, we all sat there, identically puzzled, unsure of what to make of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Sounds puzzled).

The New Yorker

Still puzzled?

The New York Times

Puzzled silence.

The New York Times - Food

So puzzled.

The Guardian

"By far the hardest-to-assemble puzzle I ever made was a transparent plastic puzzle with nearly identically shaped pieces," said Mr. Stokes, 60, who turned to puzzle cutting after a career in computer programming.

The New York Times - Science

Puzzling limit.

BBC

Puzzle piece 4: Behavior 2).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Puzzle pieces?

Huffington Post

This reaction puzzles Dean.

Environmental Health Perspectives

It puzzles me.

BMC Public Health

They were identical twins but didn't photograph identically.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "identically puzzled", ensure that the context clearly establishes that multiple subjects are experiencing the same confusion. It's most effective when describing a shared reaction to a specific event or piece of information.

Common error

Avoid using "identically puzzled" when the subjects are puzzled for different reasons or to varying degrees. Using it incorrectly diminishes the phrase's precision and can confuse the reader. Instead, choose a phrase that accurately reflects the differences in their confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "identically puzzled" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "identically" modifies the adjective "puzzled". It's used to describe a state of being puzzled experienced in the same way by multiple individuals. Ludwig identifies the phrase's correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "identically puzzled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a shared state of confusion. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it appears to be infrequently used, suggesting that alternative expressions like "equally baffled" or "similarly perplexed" are more common. Given its lack of explicit examples, it's most suitable for contexts where emphasizing the sameness of the puzzlement is important. Its register is considered neutral, suitable for general writing. This analysis provides a comprehensive view of the phrase's linguistic properties and its relative rarity in common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identically confused

A direct synonym, replacing 'puzzled' with 'confused' without altering the meaning.

equally baffled

Emphasizes a state of bewilderment that is shared to the same degree.

similarly perplexed

Highlights a shared feeling of being confused or uncertain.

uniformly bewildered

Suggests that everyone involved is experiencing the same level of confusion.

mutually mystified

Highlights that the confusion is a shared experience.

all puzzled in the same way

Explains that the nature of the puzzle is the same for all involved.

in shared bewilderment

Focuses on the state of shared confusion as a collective experience.

collectively stumped

Indicates that the group is facing a challenge that no one can overcome.

with matching expressions of puzzlement

Describes the outward appearance of shared confusion.

bearing the same puzzled look

Focuses on the visual similarity in the expression of being puzzled.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "identically puzzled" in a sentence?

Use "identically puzzled" to describe a situation where multiple subjects share the same confusion about something. For example: "After the professor's complex explanation, the students looked "identically puzzled", unsure of how to proceed."

What phrases can I substitute for "identically puzzled" to express shared confusion?

Consider alternatives like "equally baffled", "similarly perplexed", or "uniformly bewildered" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize in the shared confusion.

Is "identically puzzled" always the best way to describe shared confusion?

Not always. If the reasons for the confusion differ among individuals, it's better to use a more general phrase like "collectively confused" or describe their individual confusions separately. "Identically puzzled" is most effective when the source and nature of the confusion are the same for everyone.

What's the difference between "identically puzzled" and "slightly puzzled"?

"Identically puzzled" describes a shared state of confusion among multiple subjects, while "slightly puzzled" describes a mild confusion experienced by a single subject. They differ in the scope (single vs multiple) and intensity (slight vs a general state of being puzzled) of the confusion.