in the event of confusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the event of confusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation where confusion may arise and to suggest a course of action or clarification. Example: "In the event of confusion regarding the instructions, please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

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The New Yorker

More Humor Writing from The New Yorker". In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

Submit the first fully correct response via e-mail and win a copy of the brand-new anthology "The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting from The New Yorker". In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

Submit the first fully correct response via e-mail and win a copy of the anthology "Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink". In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

Submit the first fully correct response via e-mail and win a copy of the anthology "The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting from The New Yorker". In the event of confusion, consult our official rules.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the event of anxiety or confusion arising, therapists were there to help and reassure the patients.

Huffington Post

But the new report says the 2005 document has "not eliminated the potential for conflict and confusion in the event of a terrorist incident at a seaport". Spokesmen for the Coast Guard and the F.B.I. said their agencies were committed to resolving the disagreement.

The New York Times

North Korea's military strategy likely includes operations designed to spread chaos and confusion in the event of open war with South Korea.

Vice

The effect of floods is aggravated by the absence of flood policies, resulting in confusion in the event of floods.

Global Health Action

Although we are aware that this may not be practical in some units, it may well be a strategy that would enable lists to proceed with less disruption and would reduce confusion and anxiety in the event of unexpected leave.

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the event of confusion", clearly state the action to be taken or the resource to consult to resolve the confusion. This provides practical guidance to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in the event of confusion" without specifying what constitutes 'confusion' in your context. Be specific about what might cause confusion to ensure clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the event of confusion" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a conditional clause. It sets the stage for a specific action or instruction to be followed if a state of confusion occurs. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the event of confusion" serves as a grammatically sound and functional component in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is classified as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a conditional clause, typically in neutral to professional registers. While not exceptionally common, its purpose is clear: to preempt potential misunderstandings by providing guidance or instructions for a contingency situation. As demonstrated by examples found across news, scientific, and academic sources, this phrase effectively sets the stage for clear communication when uncertainty may arise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there is any confusion

Replaces "in the event of" with a more direct conditional "if" clause.

should any confusion arise

Uses "should" to express a hypothetical situation of confusion.

in case of ambiguity

Replaces "confusion" with "ambiguity", indicating a lack of clarity.

if uncertainty arises

Substitutes "confusion" with "uncertainty" to convey a similar meaning.

if there's a lack of clarity

Expresses the idea of confusion as a "lack of clarity".

when clarity is lacking

Focuses on the absence of clarity as the trigger for action.

in situations of obscurity

Uses "obscurity" to describe a state of being unclear or difficult to understand.

if misunderstandings occur

Highlights the potential for misunderstandings as the issue.

when things are not clear

Simplifies the expression to a straightforward statement about a lack of clarity.

given any lack of understanding

Emphasizes a deficiency in comprehension as the conditional factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in the event of confusion" to sound more direct?

For a more direct tone, use phrases like "if there is confusion" or "should confusion arise". These alternatives remove some of the formality while retaining the original meaning.

What does "in the event of confusion" mean?

It means "if confusion occurs" or "if there is confusion". It sets up a conditional scenario where specific actions should be taken if clarity is lacking.

When is it appropriate to use "in the event of confusion"?

Use it when you want to proactively address potential misunderstandings and provide instructions or resources to resolve them. It is useful in instruction manuals, guidelines, and formal communications.

Is there a difference between "in the event of confusion" and "in case of confusion"?

While similar, "in the event of confusion" is slightly more formal than "in case of confusion". Both indicate a contingency plan should confusion arise.