in case of confusion

USAGE SUMMARY

'in case of confusion' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a contingency or a situation in which something could be unclear. For example, "Please refer to the manual in case of confusion about how to use the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

* To clarify, in case of confusion: ABI is only counting dedicated BLE beacon shipments that have location/proximity capabilities to reach that 60 million figure, not BLE-enabled equipment such as the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, etc. Obviously, folding in phones like that in would mean the number would be much, much higher. .

TechCrunch

In case of confusion don't hesitate to consult with some art professionals.

WikiHow

As the prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, instructed to study the Injeel (Bible) in case of confusion in understanding the Qur'an.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He also has pared back the insistence that sex should be halted in cases of confusion.

Los Angeles Times

Those who were deemed to be at risk of harm resulting from the sensor equipment (e.g. in cases of confusion where participant mis-handled equipment) had the sensor removed but data collection continued and these participants were included in the analysis in the group to which they had been randomised.

Age and Ageing

In case of any confusion about dates and deadlines, the page on important dates important dates should be regarded as authoritative.

Princeton University

It can be helpful to print out the TSA guidelines ahead of time to present to officers in case of any confusion or problem.

Huffington Post

In case of further confusion, even resorting to 'inky pinky ponkey' won't be a bad idea (It wouldn't make much of a difference, in case if all the curtains in the final list are strikingly similar).

WikiHow

Don't always ask for registration rather you may tell customers to save their purchases so that in case of any confusion regarding the inventory, they can always refer back.

WikiHow

In the case of confusion, it occurs that probability (score) of correct determination of emotion type is decreased.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Textbooks used to be full of examples like these (English-language lessons and English language lessons; an odd-looking glass and an odd looking glass) but except in places like The New Yorker, which punctiliously hyphenates all such phrases, ambiguous or not, this useful, elegant hyphen has become a nicety, resorted to only in cases of extreme confusion and sometimes not even then.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, place "in case of confusion" at the beginning of the sentence or clause so the contingency is immediately apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "in case of confusion" without providing specific steps or resources for resolving the confusion. General statements are unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case of confusion" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a conditional clause. It indicates a potential situation where clarity is lacking and provides a contingency for such an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in case of confusion" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a conditional statement. It's a way to proactively address potential misunderstandings. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage to highlight contingencies or situations lacking clarity. While deemed "Rare" in frequency based on the examples analyzed, it's adaptable across a range of contexts, particularly in news, wiki and science related content. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide clear instructions to effectively resolve potential ambiguity. Related alternatives include "in the event of uncertainty" and "should there be any ambiguity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event of uncertainty

Replaces "confusion" with "uncertainty", focusing on the broader aspect of not being sure.

should there be any ambiguity

Emphasizes the presence of ambiguity requiring resolution.

if any doubt arises

Highlights the possibility of doubt and the need to address it.

if misunderstanding occurs

Focuses specifically on instances of miscommunication or misinterpretation.

in situations of ambiguity

Highlights scenarios where ambiguity is present.

in the face of uncertainty

Emphasizes confronting a situation where clarity is lacking.

should there be any questions

Directly addresses the possibility of questions arising due to unclear information.

in the circumstance of doubt

Similar to 'if any doubt arises' but uses more formal language.

in the condition of ambiguity

More formal replacement emphasizing the state of being ambiguous.

if clarification is needed

Focuses on the need for making something more clear or understandable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in case of confusion" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives like "in the event of confusion" or "should any ambiguity arise". These phrases add a layer of formality suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's a simpler way to say "in case of confusion"?

For a more direct approach, consider "if you're confused" or "if there's any doubt". These options are suitable for informal communication.

Is it better to say "in case of confusion" or "in cases of confusion"?

While both are grammatically correct, "in case of confusion" is generally used for a single, hypothetical instance. "In cases of confusion" is more appropriate when referring to multiple or recurring instances of confusion.

How do I avoid causing confusion when using the phrase "in case of confusion"?

Always follow "in case of confusion" with a clear and actionable instruction. For example, "In case of confusion, refer to the user manual" provides a specific resource.